First horse auction of the year today

Spring must have arrived in Clovis — Clovis Livestock Auction Inc. will hold its first horse auction this year today, Saturday and Sunday in its sale barn at 504 S. Hull.

Held four times a year — in March, May, August and November — the event brings hundreds of people, and horses, to Clovis.

Auction manager Steve Friskup said he expects to have 1,000 head of horses this weekend. While Clovis Livestock Auction specializes in ranch geldings and roping horses, Friskup said he will have a little of everything this weekend, “from Shetland ponies to studs.”

The auction starts at 10 a.m. each day at the sale barn.

Clovis Livestock Auction will hold a performance demonstration of some horses, free of charge, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday in the rodeo arena.

There will be roping, cutting and barrel racing, Friskup said.

At 7:30 a.m. Sunday, the day will begin with a cowboy church service at the sale barn, Friskup said.

He said he expects about 2,500 people to be in Clovis for the auction.