I roll a 18/18 6PS, 6 riding, 6 shield, 6 athletics build because I like both pikeman and horse, and I feel that doing both helps be get better at killing the other.
Lance thrusting angle: I think we all saw this coming. The current angle seems a bit too small, I think it should be increased about 20% more of what it is now. The idea of it makes sense I guess, but with the current angles there isn't any room for close in 'footwork'. It almost completely relegates lancer cav to a 'boom and zoom' type, where you fly in, stab on the approach then zoom out. This is only ever effective against players who are not paying attention and as such a lancer cav is now only good for backstabbing. Using the actual lance animation is almost impossible to hit a player who has a functioning brain and two hands.
Horse cost change: Good! I really don't have any criticisms about this.
Heavy lance: Speed increase? Bad move I think. It was really nice to have to seriously think about what lance to pick, the speed on the heavy was just brutal slow but now it will be used 100% of the time.
Horse Stat changes: Same as horse cost change, good move I think it will increase variety a lot.
Horse Archery:RIP
With the cost, maneuver, and lancing changes I predict we will see an increase in 1h+shield horseman. This is good because previously it was all about lancing. However with the insane damage archers do now, the adjustments to costs and stats will force players to still rely on the fastest horses. The armored(+destier)simply die to fast to the bugged? arrow damage we have now.
All in all its like 1 step forward, 2 steps backward.