Horse Show Dad Turned Horse Protector
Olivia and Bill Woodson in 2013
Phelps Media Group (edited)
The bond between father and daughter is magical and empowering. For Bill Woodson, Head of Wealth Advisory & Family Office Services for Boston Private and EQUUS Foundation supporter, that bond deepened through the love he shares for horses with his daughter, Olivia.
Like so many other families, Bill and his wife, Cynthia, were introduced to the equestrian sport through their daughter, Olivia, who was a successful junior rider and who is now Captain of the SMU Equestrian team.
“As a Horse Show Dad, I realized that unless I took up riding, I would see very little of my daughter and so I ride whenever I can,” said Woodson — all the while, focusing professionally on helping Boston Private deepen existing client relationships by delivering advice and services to high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra high-net-worth (UHNW) families, senior executives, family offices and closely-held business owners.
Olivia Woodson and Butterfly Kisses win the 2013 USEF Pony Finals in Lexington, Kentucky
The Woodson family quickly became immersed in the sport and, in fact, moved to Wellington to give Olivia the opportunity to train with some top trainers as a working student, including Geoff Teall and Charlie Moorcroft and later Laura Kraut. She also had the privilege of riding with Missy Clark, Ken Smith, and Shane Sweetnam.
Olivia has had many successes starting with winning the United States Equestrian (USEF) Pony Medal Finals in 2013 followed by top wins in Equitation and a finalist in the USEF Emerging Athletes Program in 2016. As a young amateur — having to balance academic demands with the responsibilities of being the Equestrian Team Captain, she continued to be victorious in jumper competitions in Europe and the US.
“Although I don’t sit on any of the expensive grand prix horses, Geoff [Teall] has some nice horses that I get to ride periodically. It’s been a great experience and I feel very fortunate,” said Woodson.
Olivia Woodson on Cachacco in the Medium Junior Jumper Division at the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida
Woodson joined Boston Private from CitiGroup in 2019. “Our team’s mandate is to enhance our existing capabilities in important areas like traditional tax, estate and retirement planning – which we do very well today – and add additional capabilities around philanthropic planning, wealth education and family governance.”
“We are also developing programs that provide clients and their families with tailored content and education, unique experiences, and the ability to meet and collaborate with peers in their respective industries and among similar families.”
Olivia Woodson and trainer, Geoff Teall
Bill was introduced to the EQUUS Foundation through his professional relationship with Jennifer (Iverson) Schwartz, an asset manager affiliation with Boston Private. A competitor herself, Schwartz is well known among equestrians and served as an EQUUS Foundation Board member to advocate for equine welfare.
Woodson became aware of the plight of too many of America’s horses after their sport careers are over and was eager to help the cause. With Schwartz’ encouragement, Boston Private became an EQUUS Foundation Corporate Partner and sponsored the Foundation’s 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival event in Wellington, Florida. Boston Private.
