Assistance with Mounted Leader type (Wrath campaign)

[Tobel]

I beseech ye knowledgeable folk for assistance...

Soonishly starting a Wrath of the Righteous campaign. Have been given a brief primer by DM, and I feel like a Marshal type character would be a good fit.

Ideally looking for something the will survive fine on his own off mount for this situations where we are tight on space, but can really shine when mounted. Would prefer medium size PC for RP reasons, so not looking to take my gnome on corgiback into the caves of Qud.

Looking at options like combining dragoon with beast master. The idea of holy campaign against evil being led by a general on a drake/griffon/whatever sounds entertaining. Just not sure of the best route to go about it.

Thanks for opinions :)

[blashimov]

A great use of charisma and mount includes paladin, nature oracle, and other surprises because you can take the monstrous mount feat and have a griffon (pounce and flying are awesome). As you said, if you really want to shine while mounted, you just need mounted combat, ride by attack, and spirited charge. While taking fighter/dragoon gets you those feats faster, it reduces your animal companion levels which requires another feat, either boon companion, horsemaster, or http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/racial-feats/beast-rider-orc-half-orc/.

Here's a handy list of classes in which you can get a ride-able companion:
druid
ranger
inquisitor (archetype or animal domain)
cleric (animal domain)
barbarian
oracle
hunter
paladin
cavalier
and any of them could take monstrous mount, though some don't require it to get something cool like a griffon.
Also see hosteling armor, narrow frame, and reduce animal.
Human eye for talent and aasimar oracle revelation enhancement and http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/racial-feats/celestial-servant-aasimar/ are other options.