Quote Originally Posted by Basileos ton Ellenon View Post
Well given the fact that the fellows in the FM bodyguard are all of aristocratic ascendance, with the best armor, weapons and mounts coupled with the fact that they have been probably shooting a bow and riding steppe ponies before they could even walk or talk means that they are definetely better prepared than the cavalry of settled cultures.
True, but that does not mean that they should be entirely dominant over settled cavalry powers, melee wise. I acknowledge that the Sarm horse archers in EB are pretty much representative of what they should be, but their melee cavalry shouldn't be what it is.

If I recall Arrian's Campaigns of Alexander, the Scythians weren't particularly successful against Alexander with his excellent Persian and Macedonian cavalry, although there is certainly other factors to consider.

Gamegeek's point is also valid.
There are only so much aristocrats in the world.