The Cavalrist - Mechanics

Since the class concepts are pretty clear, I'll take a look at what mechanics I want to implement for the class.
The Mounted Combat feat is a must, of course, and the cavalrist should get it as a bonus feat. A small number of related bonus feats can be added to the mix as well for the later levels.

One problem people have with the 3.5 space rules is the idea that horses somehow became square, making cavalry lines impossible. I do plan to address this later, but for now, let's say the cavalrist can have an ability to help out with that. That ability would be part of a combat style ability set that the cavalrist may choose. Since I already planned a small number of bonus feats, the combat styles should not be feats - or at least, not only feats.

This leaves the mount. The cavalrist will get a special mount similar to a mixture between a paladin mount and a druid animal companion. The mount will improve by level, and the cavalrist can gain a more powerful mount, which will receive fewer benefits.

That's all quite a bit already. All this (Mounted Combat, Combat Style and Special Mount) does sound like it should be granted at first level. Obviously that's too much. An idea would be to give out Mounted Combat and Special Mount at first level, but the Special Mount does not gain extra abilities until a later (say, 3rd) level, and give out the combat style at 2nd level. That sounds good for now, but it may change as we develop the details.

Level	BAB	Fort	Ref	Will	Special
1st	+1	+2	+0	+0	Mounted Combat,Special Mount
2nd	+2	+3	+0	+0	Combat Style