Ted Johnson is from Hope, ND. He and his wife Betty have two grown
girls: Teddi Jo Paulson (husband Lawrie) and Tonya Nelson
(husband Kip). He has four grandchildren: Jordan and Jessie
Paulson and Cecilia and Easton Nelson. Ted and Betty lost a son,
Troy, in a farm accident in 1980.
Ted started with a pony when he was 3 years old and has been
hooked ever since. Don Williams
and Wayne Kyser were instrumental in getting Ted involved with
the Appaloosa breed. Ted was also involved in 4-H as a kid.
He and Betty were 4-H leaders while their girls were involved.
Ted and the girls showed in the Red River Valley International
Appaloosa Horse Club and the North Dakota Horse Club. Ted and
Betty hauled the girls to shows for twelve years. The last several
years of their horse showing career, Ernie Wigen, of Finley,
ND, joined the family at the shows.
Ted is on the Board
of Directors for The Great Midwest International Horse Club.
Ernie kept his horses at Ted's farm for ten years. One winter
they had 27 horses together, including a team black Percherons.
They gave many hay rides and sleigh rides to family and friends. Ted
and family have made many a trip to Medora with their horses
and enjoyed camping and riding in the Badlands with friends.
Ted said, "This is about like going to Heaven."
Ted has many good memories of being at horse shows all over
the Midwest. He certainly has met many, many good people by
being involved in horses. Ted is still hoping for a trip to Medora
yet this fall with his horse, Multiple Earnings, (Bud).