Executive Board
Julie L. Weber
Julie has had a successful career in the acquisition, development and management of oil and gas properties for Denver-based exploration companies. She is currently the Vice President of Land and Exploration for an independent oil and gas operator which serves as the managing entity for numerous private equity-backed companies having varying degrees of investment criteria and rate of return hurdles. Julie is a Certified Professional Landman through the American Association of Professional Landmen. She graduated from William Woods University with a Bachelor of Science Degree and went on to receive her Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Colorado.
Julie has had a life-long passion for horses which began at age five when her grandfather came home with a pony in his car. This was the beginning of many cherished relationships with these noble creatures. Through personal experience over the years, Julie has become keenly aware of the need for further research, education and product development pertaining to lameness in domestic horses and is dedicated to furthering that cause.
Frances Carbonnel
Frances is an equine professional with a career spanning over four decades as an instructor, teacher, trainer and competitive rider in multiple disciplines. She understands the concerns of the amateur owner/rider as well as those of the professional rider/trainer/breeder.
Frances has trained and mentored hundreds of riders and trainers, a role she still enjoys. She has imported and bred PRE and Lusitano horses, is a published author on Equine Biomechanics, and she travels internationally to teach and to learn.
Frances graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Colorado College in 1971, and lived a total of 8 years in Europe. She brings to the horse world business skills acquired as a manager for a Fortune 500 Company before launching her own business, Classical Legacy Dressage, in the 1990’s.
Some of her milestones include:
United States Dressage Federation Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist
Founding Member of the Western Dressage Association of America
International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association Horsewoman of the Year (twice)
She brings to the IFEPR Board her inquiring mind, collaborative style, international contacts, and her untiring passion for all things equine.
Mary Ann Page
Mary Ann Page has been involved with horses throughout her life. As a youth, she was involved in 4-H and graduated with an A.A. Degree in Equine Science. She went on to obtain a B.S. Degree in Hotel Restaurant Management which she utilized in working at 5 Diamond resorts and became an event planner. She developed programs and planned events for many Fortune 500 companies.
Horses remained a constant in her life, she owned and operated a boarding and outfitting business in Southern Colorado for 10 years. A champion for promoting youth involvement with horses, she has been a 4-H leader, CHA certified instructor and volunteer at therapeutic riding programs.
She has served as a director for several horse organizations including, Colorado Horse Council, Silver Lining Riding (President), Appaloosa Horse Club (National Director, Marketing Chair) as well as, many regional breed association clubs.
Currently, Mary Ann is a business development manager for Circle Y Saddlery, Inc. She develops products and oversees both domestic and international accounts. She also heads the awards and trophy division.
Mary Ann also competes at the regional and world level with her registered Appaloosa and enjoys painting contemporary western watercolors.
Jeff Barnes
Mr. Barnes is a founding member of the National Versatility Ranch Horse Association and is listed as the highest recommended clinician judge by the former NVRHA President, Dave Currin. Mr. Barnes truly lives the western lifestyle on a Colorado Ranch. He is extremely talented in coaching riders in a way that he breaks down the parts of a skill so that each horse and student can sequentially learn each step. He uses different teaching methods to teach novice and advanced riders how to more accurately “read a cow” which translates to greater confidence for horse and riders. He is also a talented roping instructor and ensures that everyone in his clinic is valued and respected no matter the level of horse and rider.
Jeff was named Horseman of the Year by the Colorado Horse Council and continues to donate resources, time and skills to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, the local ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink’ campaign, and ACE Scholarships Foundation, which provides scholarships to kids from underprivileged families, for a private education.
Jeff is also Chief Development Officer of a Commercial General Contracting company serving the Front Range of Colorado.
Farrier School
Dr. Barbara T. Page (See Founder)
Robert Schmac
Mike O’Donnell