Through an obscure homebrew process, our party has an amazing mount:
A Large Gold Dragon; it's strong, it's extremely resilient. It even has pounce, to name one of his many abilities.
...but there's no rider to go with him. What do you think would be the most worthy class/archetype to ride such a creature?
I'm thinking these are some of the classes that might make the cut:
Emissary Cavalier
Gendarme Cavalier
Roughrider Fighter
Dragoon Fighter
Barbarian (Not sure how to build it, but I've heard it's good?)
...are there other solid alternatives I'm missing?
AM BARBARIAN'S build can make use of a mount, but generally requires a lance. It is still doable, though.
Human Roughriders allows a tad more efficiency, as the mount functions also as a battle companion, meaning you don't always have to be mounted to gain the benefits. Being Human also allows for your companion to get a stat boost just like you if you sacrifice a bonus feat and your skill point per level.
Cavaliers in general can work. Depending upon what role you want to fulfill depends on what archetype/order you choose, and you build accordingly.
A Dragoon might not work. They may have the proper weapon of choice, but a Roughrider focuses more on a character/mount tandem, and can function on a greater level.
Personally, as a front-liner tank type, the Roughrider is your best friend. AM BARBARIAN's build is great for massive damage, and the Cavalier makes for a good front-line support character. It all depends which role you want to fulfill that determines your choice.
(Off-topic: Where IS AM BARBARIAN anyway?)
O_O; For the love of GOD! If you've got a dragon who can be a mount, take some levels in the Dragonrider 3rd party class. You're already doing a homebrew game anyway, and the above linked class has a build that's already built with a dragon mount in mind!
Still looking into options...
Ranger with Mounted Combat Style - Take the best mounted feats without having to meet all of the prereqs and you get early entry.
Sohei Monk - REALLY early entry; Mounted Skirmisher at level 1! Monastic mount also seems interesting.
The link I posted above is a 3rd party base class that takes a dragon as a mount and gives the rider various benefits from having a dragon mount.