CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) — On the ground and on horseback, security and safety took center stage at the 112th Clovis Rodeo on Friday.<\/p>\n
Aside from the bull riding, rodeo-goers will also see horses protecting, not performing.<\/p>\n
Fresno Police’s Mounted Patrol Unit added to the level of security. Officers on horseback able to write and hand out citations and carry out arrests.<\/p>\n
“They’re doing exactly what police officers all over are doing — they’re just doing it on horseback,” said Fresno Police Officer Eric Claiborne, who is also a member of the department’s Mounted Patrol Unit.<\/p>\n
The vantage point on horseback an advantage for the specialized unit.<\/p>\n
“Being on horseback, you have, you can look over the crowd, see what’s going on. You have a better view,” said Off. Claiborne.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Full list of 2026 Clovis Rodeo concerts, events, and shuttle times<\/a><\/p>\n Fresno Police’s Mounted Patrol Unit are comprised of six members. Three officers patrol on horseback at this year’s rodeo. The other three meeting the community and raising funds to support the non-profit.<\/p>\n The specialized unit began in 1999 and relies on the generosity of the community to help care and feed the majestic creatures.<\/p>\n “We’re covering this whole area and the surrounding outside of the fairgrounds,” said Off. Claiborne.<\/p>\n Clovis Rodeo says it keeps the same security throughout the 5-day event, with slightly different crowds.<\/p>\n “It’s harder to show up on a Wednesday or Thursday and have to go to work the next day. Friday and Saturday our usually our biggest nights,” said Clovis Police Lt. Dave Roseno.<\/p>\n Crowds will see specialty units including the Fresno Police Department’s MAGEC, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol.<\/p>\n “We have dozens of officers out tonight,” said Lt. Roseno.<\/p>\n Since Opening Day, Clovis Police issuing a dozen citations.<\/p>\n “Mostly it’s minors in possession of alcohol,” said Lt. Roseno.<\/p>\n “You can’t have alcohol without proper identification and bands. They’ve got stations that are checking IDs,” said Clovis Rodeo Director Chuck Rigsbee.<\/p>\n Rodeo volunteers train ahead of time through the Alcoholic Beverage Control.<\/p>\n Rigsbee described this time of year in Clovis as apple pie, American flags, and families coming together in the name of tradition.<\/p>\n The Clovis Rodeo is the 2nd largest rodeo in the state, behind Salinas. It is also among the Top 20 rodeos in the state.<\/p>\n When it comes to safety and security, board members say it’s not their first rodeo.<\/p>\n “They keep a really tight eye on that,” said Rigsbee.<\/p>\n Clovis Police making one arrest for public intoxication.<\/p>\n “One person had to go in handcuffs other than that, we’ve been pretty good,” said Lt. Roseno. “We’re not trying to take people to jail unless they make that happen for us.”<\/p>\n For news updates, follow Christina Lopez on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n