Rouncey is 6550, so you can have that and medium armor and a weapon. A horse, any horse, right now is a huge bonus in cRPG, much more so than before when everyone was in plate. Rouncey and a light lance are 8550 - and with these two *alone* you can kill a lot if you're any decent at the game.
Only problem is that now you have no clue who's peasant and who's veteran wearing peasant clothes. You have to be very careful before you aproach someone because veterans are very good with pike and your lance ain't long enough
Cav awareness is higher than ever and there is much more people with pikes than it was pre patch. Arrows ain't issue anymore but throwers and xbowman can kill your rouncey very quicky which leaves you in your light/medium armor which isn't much protection especially if you're dismounted while roaming enemy territory. It was way easier playing cav before patch than it is now.