Loftwings are cool and very fitting in SS, but I've got two words for ya: Horseback archery.
As a child I grew up next to horses bred for harness racing, and was constantly amazed by their power and grace. The mere thought of horseback archery the way it was implemented in OoT was amazing. To shoot arrows in real life on horseback would be awesome, if not dangerous for everyone nearby. I'd never have the courage to try it. And if I ever tried it, I'd be terrible.
I vote Epona, but I came into this discussion biased.
I didn't have any trouble at all with the controls, and I did feel kinda connected to my loftwing. Too bad that we could only beckon her at the bird statues.