Staff/Instructors

Nathanael and Christina and their four children (Caleb, Collin, Curtice, and Cate) live and work on the Farm. Nathanael is the Business Director for the farm and Christina manages our barns and equine operations.

Without their expertise and service, Simple Times would be unable to function. Nathanael and Christina have been married since 1997 and are actively involved in both the community and their church, Mayfair Bible.

They both really enjoy working with horses and young people and they love using horses as a tool to have fun with and reach out to children of all ages

Call Christina @ 810-238-9872

Call Nathanael @ 810-874-6543

Ethan and Vanessa DeSota live and work at Simple Times with their five children (Shalom, Sam, Ellie, Joel, and Rhea). Ethan functions as the farm visionary and camp director while Vanessa serves by placing the artist's touch into the farm buildings and grounds.

The DeSota's are overjoyed to see the farm becoming a place of hope and training for many youth and families. They are available to come speak at your church or organization on a variety of topics while promoting the mission of Simple Times Farm.

Ethan is a gifted speaker and communicator with a calling to build men, marriages, and families. Contact the farm to see how this couple can encourage and train you and your organization.

Call Ethan @ 810-874-6463

Call Vanessa @ 810-394-2998

Carly Nettle rode her first horse when she was three years old.  At age ten it was obvious to her parents and her trainer that she had a natural talent for horse training and communication. 

With numerous National and Reserve National Championships to her credit, she now works full time training horses and riders. She trains a variety of breeds, favoring Paints, and Quarter Horses.  She specializes in training true all-around horses and well rounded riders in western and english pleasure.
Carly also coaches youth and amateur riders, emphasizing comunication & sportsmanship. 

Call Carly @ 248-760-4193

Trina Streling (above) is a graduate from the University of Findlay with degrees in both Equestrian Studies and Elementary Education. She has had almost 20 years of providing lessons and training. Trina provides a well rounded approach to riding with the purpose of teaching the student and the horse to work as a team.

She started her riding career at a young age where she explored many different styles of riding. She spent almost every weekend showing at either local, Q.H. or Paint shows where she received numerous high end awards.  After college she purchased a farm where she developed a riding program that focused in hunter, dressage, english and western pleasure.  She went on to head another facility in the Grand Rapids area, where she was the head trainer for several years. She has trained and worked with many horses and students over the years with various disciplines. 

She continued to improve her education by taking clinics from various instructors across the country.  She spent several months mentoring under an instructor from the British Riding school and she also worked for a World Champion Quarter Horse trainer for a year. 

She is offering english lessons for students that have the goal of jumping and learning the fundamentals through a dressage approach.

Cal Trina @ 810-444-6356

Kevin and Alexis Boyd are the most recent additions to the Simple Times family. With three generations of construction experience, Kevin brings his expertise to bear on the new farm that is in process of erection.