Mounted Combat clarification needed..

[Cryov]

Hey All,
Got a few quick questions regarding mounted combat.

What are the mechanics of trying to hit a mounted person?
Are they flat footed or???

I have someone telling me in my group I can make ride checks to make the hit go to the mount instead of me, is this true?

I cannot find any clarification on this, I don't know if I am missing it or what..

[Zahir ibn Mahmoud ibn Jothan]

When attempting to hit a mounted opponent, nothing changes. Same AC, etc. They aren't flat footed.

When attempting to hit the mount, the feat Mounted Combat can be used by the defender once per round to substitute a ride check in place of the mount's AC.

There is nothing regarding swapping hits back and forth, unless you have say the Bodyguard feats I suppose, which aren't mounted feats per se.