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RAW there's problems, which the developers have agreed exist, but have yet to sort out, with the Beast Rider.
here's a crack at a rewrite that should fix those discrepancies.
Beast Rider (Archetype)
The cavalier is defined not only by his dedication to his order or his skill on the battlefield, but also by the special relationship he maintains with his mount. Where some cavaliers are simply skilled with horses or well-trained knights, the beast rider spends his life in constant pursuit of the most perfect mount, forming bonds with greater, more powerful, and more exotic creatures.Armor Proficiency: A beast rider is proficient with light and medium armor, and with shields (with the exception of tower shields).
Exotic Mount (Ex): At 1st level, a beast rider forms a bond with a strong, loyal companion that permits him to ride it as a mount. This mount functions as a druid's animal companion, using the beast rider's level as his effective druid level. The animal chosen as a mount must be large enough to carry the beast rider (Medium or Large for a Small character; Large or Huge for a Medium character).
The beast rider does not take an armor check penalty on Ride checks while riding his mount. The mount is always considered combat trained, and begins play with Endurance as a bonus feat. A beast rider's mount does not gain the share spells special ability.
Each time the beast rider increases in level, he can choose to select a new, more impressive mount better suited to his increased power.
At 1st level:
Small-sized beast riders can choose any animal to serve as their mount as long as it can support their weight, and does not have a fly speed.Medium beast riders can choose a camel, horse or any animal companion that is Large at their character level due to the character's Effective Druid Level for an animal companion granted by another class.
At 4th level:
Small-sized beast riders can choose an animal to serve as their mount even if it has a fly speed, provided it is normally available as a Medium-sized animal companion at 4th level (like a Small Cat [Leopard], or a Roc). If the animal is Large at 4th level they can choose instead to keep it Medium per the animal companion rules.Medium-sized beast riders can select a mount from the following list: an allosaurus, ankylosaurus, arsinoitherium, aurochs, axebeak, bison, brachiosaurus, camel, chameleon (giant), elephant, glyptodon, horse, hippopotamus, lion, mastodon, megaloceros, snapping turtle (giant), tiger, triceratops, or tyrannosaurus. Additional mounts might be available with GM approval. If Medium, apply the following modifications: Size Large, Increase the damage of each of the mounts natural attacks by one size. The mount otherwise functions as normal animal companion of its effective druid level, not gaining the listed benefits for becoming large, if any, until 7th level.
At 7th level:
A Medium beast rider can select any creature is normally available as an animal companion at 7th level (like a bear). If it is Medium at 7th level, apply the following modifications: Size Large; Ability Scores Str +2, Dex –2, Con +2. Increase the damage of each of the mount's natural attacks by one die size. When choosing this new 7th level mount, the beast rider cannot choose a mount that is not capable of bearing his weight, or that has a fly speed (although the GM may allow mounts with a fly or swim speed in certain environments).Anytime a feat or ability allows a mount to make a hoof attack, it can make a claw, slam, or other analogous attack instead.
This ability replaces the standard cavalier's mount and expert trainer abilities.
Well Adjusted (Ex): At 7th level small-sized beast riders can ride a large animal with no penalty, and may make a DC 20 Ride check to mount it as a swift action. Medium-sized beast riders can lower the Ride Check DC to 15, when attempting to swift mount.