When Jaime Nichols released a dove to honor Chelsey Ebert’s memory at the State Equestrian Championships, hundreds of people were inspired and not a few shed tears.

Now Nichols and fellow lifelong horse lover Kelli Fisher are trying to inspire every equestrian in Whatcom County to participate in a series of lively horse shows for the Chelsey Ebert Scholarship Fund.

Before she died of cancer Dec. 26, one of Chelsey’s fondest dreams was to establish a scholarship fund, with money going each year to graduating Ferndale High School volleyball and girls’ basketball players.

Plans are how to establish a third scholarship, for a person involved in a 4H horse club, thanks to what appears will be a successful series of shows at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden.

The second horse show will be held Sunday and the third show on July 27. The first was held May 25, the week after Ferndale’s equestrian club team made a strong showing at the state championships in Wenatchee.

“We want to honor Chelsey’s memory with these shows,” said Nichols, who shoes horses as one of the few female farriers in Northwest Washington. “These scholarships were her wish.”

“Our first show had about 50 competitors,” said Fisher, who owns 10 horses. “We have a full program of English and Western performances in various age groups, from 12-under to 18-over, plus we have a drill show honoring Chelsey in the middle of it all.”

Nichols and Fisher said admission is free, although donations are welcome to the scholarship fund. The cost of all-day participation in several events is $65 and people can register from 7 to 7:30 a.m. the day of each show. Competition begins at 8 a.m.

“All proceeds go to the scholarship fund,” said Nichols, who welcomes more participants and community sponsors. “We also feature raffles and prizes at each show.”

“This was Jaime’s idea,” said Fisher, who will celebrate her 43rd birthday Sunday at the second show. “Jaime asked me to help. I actually met her when I fell off my horse two years ago at the county fair and she came in to help me. We’ve been friends ever since.”

Jay Ebert, Chelsey’s father, said is especially grateful to Nichols and Fisher, an equestrian whose daughter, Ferndale juniorto- be Kitana Kilborn, helped the Golden Eagles claim District 4 small-school high-point honors.

“The more scholarships we can give, the better,” Jay Ebert said. “It hits another whole dynamic. I’m very excited over these horse shows and all the various benefits that have been held in Chelsey’s memory. She’s done more than most of us will do in a lifetime.”

Since Chelsey, an all-around athlete, wore No. 44 at Ferndale — where she would have been in her sophomore basketball season when she died – her father said the scholarships are worth $1,044.

“Then the Dollars for Scholars program doubles the scholarships,” said Fisher, who said the first two went to volleyball player Chelsie Clark and basketball player Alyssa Locker.

Nichols and Fisher said they couldn’t believe the emotions stirred when Nichols released the dove and Fisher was the flag-bearer on a bucking horse for a special tribute to Chelsey performed by the Ferndale equestrian team. Most of the team members had known Chelsey for years.

“I wanted to cry, it was so beautiful,” said Chris Crawford. “It was a truly touching exhibition and very fitting, since Chelsey inspired a lot of people.”

Nichols was especially inspired by the courageous athlete.

“Chelsey was just a great fighter, even before the cancer,” Nichols said. “She had had open-heart surgeries as an infant and teenager. She was very much in love with the Lord. Chelsey inspired me to be baptized.”

Nichols’ daughter Jaiden, who turns 3 years old on June 30, rode in the May 25 show. It was her third ride of the year.

Following Ferndale’s tribute to Chelsey in Wenatchee, the Golden Eagles competed well at state, Chris Crawford noted.

Crawford’s daughter, seniorto- be Brooke, was Ferndale team captain and finished 10th at state in dressage. The 10-person Ferndale team claimed sixth in drill competition.