WB Home Page |  JP's Biography  |  Testimonials  |  Clinic Information | Clinic Cost |  Clinic Times J P's BIOGRAPHY
		“My heroes have always been pilots and cowboys…” JP has had a life long love for dogs, horses, and airplanes.  To begin, JP’s first training experiences were learned at his father’s knee.  His father taught him that respect and gentleness would earn great rewards from animals that God has placed in our care.
While growing up his father made sure that there was always an abundance of dogs, squirrels, ducks, geese, coyotes, cattle, and horses to pique the interest of a young cowboy.
As a young man, JP enlisted with the US Armed Forces becoming a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division.  During the time that JP was a soldier, he started flight training, offered through an Army flying club.  While in the Army, it became abundantly clear to him who was digging the foxholes, and who decided where the foxholes should be dug, so JP using Cowboy Logic figured that he had better get some more education.  JP enrolled at the University of Michigan, majoring in the comparative psychology program (animal behavior).  During this time, JP continued to work towards his other love – flying.
		The lure of adventure was so strong that JP decided on aviation as a career.  Flying allowed him to see the world and acquire the capital to start his own agricultural aviation, and wildland firefighting company.  These businesses thrived and finally allowed him to pursue his love of horses and ranching.
Over the next twenty years, JP continued to show and break many horses, as well as breed Doc Bar, and Colonel Freckles lineage horses.  His ranch and aviation businesses thrived until he sold both, and moved to Alaska to start a new adventure.  JP had been recruited by the US Forest Service to manage their helicopter program in Alaska.
		After JP’s tour in Alaska, in 1989, he was offered the position as the National Helicopter Program Manager with the US Forest Service at the National Interagency Fire Center located at Boise, Idaho.  Once JP moved to Boise, it was time to restart his equine breeding and training businesses – thus, WingBar J was born.  JP once again purchased foundation mares in the Doc Bar, Dry Doc, Doc Olena, Smart Little Lena, and San Peppy lineages.  These foundation mares have been producers of truly fine performance horses.
	“My dream has always been to take the finest mares that I could find, or raise, and bred them to the stud that was the best complement, using the newest innovative breeding techniques possible.”
However, this was still not enough for JP – he wanted to learn much more… so in 1997 he connected with the renowned teacher and horseman -- John Lyons, which has proven to be a fruitful and productive long-term friendship. Today, JP still has a love for flying; however, he is now pursuing his love of the horse and teaching by instructing horsemanship clinics.   JP is using his years of teaching experience to help folks expand their boundaries.  JP teaches his students how to build a foundation in their training program that will take them to a new level towards achieving their riding goals.
“In summarizing my life -- over the years as a soldier, crop duster, wildland firefighter, mountain flyer, bush pilot, seaplane pilot, helicopter pilot, teacher, rancher, farmer, and horse trainer, I figured there was a better way to accomplish things in a SAFE, effective -- yet non-abusive way…
		…it’s plain and simple to me …
		If I teach your horse, I help you today. If I teach you, I help you both for a lifetime. It’s just Cowboy Logic…”
		-- J P Johnston
To print JP's Bio Printable Version		WingBar J