Embracing consistency has brought Steven Rybka far

by Chris Lomon

While every day at the barn brings something new, Steven Rybka fashions the same signature look.

It is a longshot, perhaps even more than 99-1 odds, that the New York horseman starts his morning with any trace of trepidation as to where he’s heading.

“The best part [of my job] is going to the barn every day,” Rybka said. “I get up happy every morning, and I never miss a day. I love it. If it’s raining, if it’s cold – it doesn’t matter. Going to the barn is the best feeling. I enjoy it.

“I suppose the tough part could be the same thing, working every day, but it never feels like that. I honestly feel like I am never working. I love racing and I love the horses.”

For the son of the late Darren Rybka — the respected horseman passed away on Jan. 22, 2021, after losing his fight to COVID-19 — serenity, sense of purpose, and fulfillment are found in the stable.

It has always been that way for the younger Rybka, who launched his training and driving careers in 2017.

His first success in the sulky came in 2018 when he partnered Rockintheniteaway to victory at Monticello on Jan. 3.

Steven, who also trained the daughter of Rocknroll Hanover, guided the bay mare, sent on her way at 28-1, to a 2¼-length score in 2:02.

His first training triumph, in June of 2017, was a much different story.

Although Cruzing Hill crossed the wire second in the third dash at Saratoga Harness, a disqualification of the winner elevated the bay son of If I Can Dream to first.

While it wasn’t a Hollywood script-like moment, Steven certainly felt as though it were.

“It was an exciting moment,” he said. “You’re happy to win any time. For me, every win is awesome.”

Just like another unusual victory, one that came with a daughter of Betting Line who would eventually go on to the barn of Ron Burke.

Steven had a 50-50 chance of winning on that day, nearly four years ago, at Historic Track in Goshen, NY.

Vibrance, who sold for $17,000 at the 2021 Harrisburg Yearling Sale, met one rival in the non-betting event in the second race.

“One of my favorite wins of all time came at Goshen on July 4 [in 2022],” he said. “It was a two-horse race in the Landmark with a filly, Vibrance, we bought out of Harrisburg. It was an amazing day. There was a big crowd and everyone was cheering. We made good money with her. She was a lot of fun to drive. We ended up selling her to Run Burke.”

The pacer’s top-notch talents matched strides with a big personality.

“She was a little bit of an attitude horse,” Steven said. “She liked to kick and she had her quirks, but she had speed. You pulled her and she could brush. We brushed a couple fields at Saratoga and opened right up on them. You love when they have that fire in them.”

Unstoppable Hall certainly does.

Steven’s adoration for the daughter of American Ideal is unmistakable.

And just like Vibrance, Unstoppable Hall has a measure of spirit, charm, and sass.

“If you get a filly with an attitude, they can make a great race mare,” Steven said. “Unstoppable Hall, who I recently bought back, I had her for five years before. She’s one that has this attitude in the barn, but she’s a good mare. She’s my queen. I love her. She has won a lot of races for me. Any time I needed a win, she would win two or three in a row. I have to give her a shout out because she’s my girl.”

Steven also has high praise for the others in his barn, those who are currently competing and some who are on the road to making their debuts.

Off to a strong start — he is on pace to have a career-best training campaign — Steven would like to grow his operation, albeit methodically.

“I have five horses racing and four babies,” he said. “I have a group of guys that buy one each year at Harrisburg and we have fun doing it. I just want to keep doing well every year, staying consistent and building the stable little by little. I usually have six or seven, but I’d like to have around 12 or 15.

“My goal this year is to have my best one yet. It’s started well and I’m happy with how things have gone.”

Preparing for the 2026 season to be his most memorable to date didn’t start with warm thoughts, so to speak.

“It was a cold winter, so that was tough, but I worked hard and picked up some new horses,” he said. “It’s going well. I have a couple new ones who are doing well, and I have my horse, Night Hunter, who I own myself – I like him a lot. He’s pretty solid and has started the year off well. Staying consistent has always been the key for me.”

So, too, has been a willingness to heed the helpful words of other horsepeople.

Advice continues to be plentiful – and appreciated.

“I am happy to take it,” he said. “I’m not afraid to ask questions. I think learning early on not to get too high or too low was important for me and I never forgot it. If you have a bad race or a bad run, don’t get hung up on it. That’s going to happen. So, I think that’s where I latched on to being consistent. If you get upset, you can’t carry it over to the barn. Let it go.”

Steven has not forgotten the encouraging guidance of his late father.

“My dad, I miss him every day,” Steven said. “He used to give me a lot of great advice. He always told me to be aggressive when I’m driving. My buddy James McAssey is always helping me out, too. If I ever have a question about a horse, he will give me his honest opinion.”

And then there is Dave Stratton.

“There are so many people in this sport who work hard behind the scenes,” Steven said. “Dave Stratton does great blacksmith work for me. He is almost like a second dad to me.”

Whether it’s in the race bike or watching the action from the rail, Steven is led by a steady hand and optimistic outlook.

He is content where he finds himself, on and off the racetrack.

“I live in Ballston Spa, which is about 15 minutes away from Saratoga,” he said. “It’s the best. The summertime is great, with the thoroughbred track, great restaurants, and lots of things to do. I just got into golf, and I’ve been going out with my buddies. You have the lake — my wife’s family has a lake house on Sacandaga Lake — which is where we just got married. We’ll go out on the boat. There are so many things to do. It’s buzzing in the summer.

“I also like playing sports. I still play basketball once a week. I like going to the gym, too. I enjoy watching the New York Knicks, too. I try to catch as many of their games as I can.”

Steven is also a fan of podcasts.

“I listen to a lot of podcasts,” he said. “I do a bunch of UFC podcasts because I love the sport. I don’t do political ones anymore because that will make you crazy.”

Racing and horses are his ultimate happy place.

“I am having a lot of fun right now and I truly enjoy it,” he said. “I try to carry myself the right way and be respectful of everyone. I get along well with everybody and do things the right way. If you do that, things will work out the way you want them to.”

Success, for Steven, is the direct result of a team effort.

He’s grateful for many people’s contributions, many of whom rarely step close to the spotlight.

“So many people go unnoticed, but what they do plays such a big part in your success,” he said. “I am grateful for the owners, breeders, blacksmiths, grooms, vets, and everyone who cares for the sport and the horses.”

Just another reason that same signature look greets the barn every morning.