Performer Information

This Arizona Cowboy Poet, Author and Lyricist is a fan of the singular history of the American West. His passion is to promote, preserve and celebrate the “Cowboy Way” through his prose, lyrics and poetry stories. Rik has wrangled on a horse ranch and run a small cow-calf operation. He was a deputy sheriff for a time and has also worked as an actor in Hollywood. He is honored to have served his country as a USAF Veteran. Rik has been honored with five Will Rogers Medallion Awards for his CD’s and Stories of Cowboy Poetry and Western Prose. He was a finalist for IWMA Male Cowboy Poet of the Year in 2023, 2024 and 2025. His CD, “Cowboyin’ With God” was awarded Cowboy Poetry Album of the Year in 2025. Yonder has recorded four Poetry albums and written three books, two of Cowboy Poetry and one of Short Stories of the West. He has performed his poetry across the Western US and in Canada at small intimate assemblies such as The Montana Veterans Home, County Fairs, Guest Ranches and Rotary Clubs and at large gatherings like the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering, The Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering or the Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering as well as in many Cowboy Churches.

2024 Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year Nominee
2024 Cowboy Poetry Book of the Year Nominee
2024 Male Poet of the Year Nominee