My Little Pony

My Little Pony
Current logo
Type	Figurine
Inventor	Bonnie Zacherle
Company	Hasbro
Country	United States
Availability	1983–present
Materials	Rubber, Plastic,
Official website

My Little Pony is a brand of toy ponies marketed primarily to girls and bronies, produced by the toy manufacturer Hasbro. These ponies can be identified by their colorful bodies and manes and (typically) a unique symbol (or series of symbols) on one or both sides of their flanks. The ponies are usually named after their symbols; however, sometimes names differ. "Extras" for the toy were also available, such as scooters, hairbrushes and other accessories matching the ponies' names and flank-symbols. Following the original My Pretty Pony toy (introduced in 1981), My Little Pony was launched in 1983 and the line became popular during the 1980s. The original toy line ran from 1983 to 1995 (until 1992 in the US) and inspired animated specials (including an animated feature-length film) and three animated television series.

History

"My Little Pony" was created in 1982 by American illustrator and designer Bonnie Zacherle. Working with sculptor Charles Muenchinger and manger Steve D'Aguanno, Zacherle submitted a design patent in August 1981 for an ornamental design for a toy animal. The patent was granted in August 1983, when she began working for Hasbro.

Generations

Generation One: Dream Valley and Coltonville

The original line of My Little Pony began with the Earth Ponies in 1982. The ponies were later followed by Pegasus Ponies, Unicorn Ponies, Flutter Ponies and Sea Ponies. Flutter Ponies were smaller and thinner than Pegasus Ponies, and had fluttering wings. Windy Wing and the Summer Wing Ponies were smaller than the Flutter Ponies and were proportioned in a similar way, with larger wings. The Sea Ponies resembled seahorses, and were produced as both adults and babies. There were also male ponies ("Big Brother Ponies"), with slightly larger bodies and feathered hooves like Clydesdale horses.

Many different sets of Little Ponies were produced, beginning with the Rainbow Ponies (which sported rainbow-colored manes and tails) in 1983. Other variations included the So-Soft Ponies (covered in flocking), Twinkle-Eyed Ponies (with small rhinestones for eyes), Twice-As-Fancy Ponies (with patterns covering most of the body), Brush 'n' Grow Ponies (which had a longer-than-usual tail, that could be drawn out through brushing, stored inside the body), Pony Friends (other animals in the same style as the ponies, such as a giraffe, lion, camel, kangaroo and zebra, among others) and Baby Ponies, some of which were smaller versions of previously released adult ponies (their mothers). An animated television series, My Little Pony, ran from 1986 to 1987. The first generation of My Little Ponies were sold in the U.S. for ten years (ending in 1992), but continued internationally until 1995. The final year of sales in the U.S. was advertised as the "celebration year" of My Little Pony.

Mail-order ponies

All packaging (typically a blister pack) came with Horseshoe Points, which could be used to obtain discounts on special ponies available only through mail order. The Horseshoe Point program was offered in both the US and UK, although the items available for purchase varied by country. Mail-order ponies were generally reissues like Majesty (previously available only with the Dream Castle Playset) or unique ponies such as the first boy pony (Lucky the stallion). Another line of exclusively mail-order ponies was the Birthflower ponies, which featured a pony for every month of the year. All had white bodies with pink hair and tails; their names were Carnation, Violet, Daffodil, Daisy, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Water Lily, Poppy, Morning Glory, Cosmos, Chrysanthemum and Holly. Special baby ponies (such as the Pearlized Baby Ponies and Twice-As-Fancy babies) were also available by mail order. Some mail-order ponies (such as Sweet Scoops and Rapunzel) are rare and sought after by collectors.

International ponies

Some companies were licensed under Hasbro to produce their own line of ponies instead of shipping them from China or Hong Kong (where the vast majority of ponies were produced); these companies were located in Argentina, Brazil, France, Greece, India, Italy, Macau, Mexico and Spain. Some of these ponies are very similar to their Asian counterparts; for example, the Italian Clio looks very similar to Glory, with the most obvious difference a non-glittery symbol. Others (such as the Mexican Twilight) are a variation on existing colors, poses or species. Some (such as the Greek Ladybird) are completely unique to their region.

Due to factors such as limited production and their condition, international ponies tend to bring a higher price than their more-common counterparts. Ponies from certain countries are also easier to find, while others (such as Greeks or Brazilians) are more difficult. There are also international ponies which were distributed from China or Hong Kong, but made exclusively for a particular region. These ponies also can range from variants (such as the not-so-soft Truly) to completely new ponies.

Most ponies released in the US were found in Western Europe as well. The majority of US domestic mail-order ponies never appeared overseas, although many countries had their own mail-order systems. Many of the excess ponies offered by mail order in the US were bagged, carded and sold overseas. Some of the ponies and playsets were given different names abroad; for example, the Big Brother Ponies were known as Adventure Boy Ponies in the UK. The second generation of My Little Pony toys were sold in Western Europe and the United States. Since the second generation was more popular in Western Europe, Hasbro continued to produce and sell them in Western Europe after 1998, when American production was discontinued.

Related lines

• Petite Ponies

Petite Ponies were tiny pony figures sold in sets. Some had different characteristics, such as brushable hair, pearlised or glow-in-the-dark bodies. Under the base of each was an engraved hoof, which allowed the pony to function as a key to the Petite Playsets. Most of these smaller ponies had no official name, and many had the same symbols. They were sold from 1989 to 1991; only Earth Ponies and Pegasus Ponies were produced.

• Dream Beauties

Larger figures (made of hard plastic) were advertised as "grown up" ponies and called Dream Beauties. Unlike My Little Ponies, they looked more like real horses with a line of plastic beads along the base of their manes. All of were Earth Ponies, except for the three Highflying Beauties (which had large, multicolored wings). They were sold from 1989 to 1990.

• My Little Kitty/Puppy/Bunny

Cat, dog and rabbit sets were sold under the Hasbro MLP logo during the early 1990s. Each Lil' Litters set consisted of a mother, two babies and a plastic comb. The mothers had flocked bodies, and the babies were miniature plastic figures. Kitty mothers had cottony tails, puppy mothers had either silky or cottony ears and bunny mothers had cottony tails and silky forelocks. There were also Nursery Family sets, featuring the puppy and kitty characters.

Merchandise

Besides the ponies themselves, merchandise included children's bedding and room decorations, plush toys, puzzles, clothing, books and playsets (such as Dream Castle, Show Stable, Paradise Estate and the Baby Bonnet School of Dance). There were also unusual items such as a pomander and toy sewing machines. Two animated television series and a feature-length theatrical movie were aired during this period. In 1985, the My Little Pony Seven Songs and a Story picture disc was released (recorded at AIR Studios in County Durham with singer Tony Markey).

• To celebrate the 25th anniversary of My Little Pony, Hasbro reproduced the original 1983 My Little Pony collection. The ponies reproduced were Blue Belle, Butterscotch, Cotton Candy, Snuzzle, Blossom and Minty. Later, Hasbro reproduced the Generation One Rainbow Ponies (Moonstone, Parasol, Skydancer, Starshine, Sunlight and Windy).
• Generation One Ponies key chains were sold in Japan. Ponies sold as key chains were Milky Way, Dancing Butterflies, Sugarberry, Starbow, Rainribbon, Sunribbon and Baby Stockings (which came in either red or green). They had combable hair, and came with a small comb. The key chains are rare, and valued by collectors.

My Little Pony Tales

My Little Pony Tales is a cartoon that premiered on US television on July 3, 1992. The main characters were female ponies named Starlight, Sweetheart, Melody, Bright Eyes, Patch, Clover and Bon Bon. Many of the episodes featured these characters attending school, having fun with friends and dating. The last episode aired on US television on December 25, 1992. No My Little Pony Tales DVDs were released in the United States, but they are sold in the United Kingdom and Australia. My Little Pony Tales is sometimes mistaken as a Generation Two series by fans; collectors consider the series Generation 1.5, between Generations One and Two.

Generation Two: Friendship Gardens

The second My Little Pony line was introduced in 1997 and are known as "Generation Two" (G2) or "Friendship Garden Ponies." They were manufactured in redesigned poses (with jewel eyes and turning heads) and were smaller, slimmer, and longer-legged than their 1982 counterparts. The line was not successful in the U.S. and was discontinued in 1999, although it continued overseas for several years. Most were Earth Ponies, but a few unicorns were made internationally. Although no Pegasus Ponies were made, some adults had clip-on wings. In the early 2000s, several unicorns with clip-on wings (called the Magic Unicorns) were made. Two baby ponies were introduced, and none of the baby ponies were sold in the U.S.

In Europe the ponies lived in Ponyland (instead of Friendship Gardens), and were discontinued with the inception of the G3 line in 2003. Many ponies released in the last years of the line are considered rare. A number of playsets were introduced, including a mansion and a castle. Some of the licensed merchandise released in Europe included beanbag plushes, magazines, clothing, perfume, wrapping paper and coloring books. A CD-ROM game for PC was also released, which involved taking care of a pony and playing games along the way.

Some Generation Two ponies were sold as detachable key chains (including Morning Glory, Sundance, Light Heart and Ivy). The pony came with a comb attached to her neck by a string. The back of the package says, "My Little Pony Logo and Pony Names are Trademarks of Hasbro Inc. Copyright 1998." They were produced under license by Fun-4-All Corporation and made in China.

Generation Three: Ponyville

Generation Three logo (2003-2009, but still used in some countries as of 2011)

The third incarnation of My Little Pony began in 2003 and is generally referred to Generation Three (G3). Hasbro released only Earth Ponies from 2003 to 2005, Pegasus Ponies in 2005 and Unicorn Ponies in 2006. The ponies live in Ponyville, which is centered around Celebration Castle. Many original ponies have been re-released in different poses or outfits. Most ponies in the line have shiny or pearly bodies and matte symbols (resembling tattoos) on one side, known as "cutie marks". Early G3 ponies have a magnet in one hoof, used to activate playset items. These magnets are fairly strong, and can damage electrical equipment and appliances with prolonged contact.

Until late 2005, packaging came with Pony Points that were later used for exclusive mail orders. Unlike the G1 line, the Pony Points had to be mailed in to order; a customer could not pay a flat fee and add points to it to lower the price. Some of the ponies available with the Pony Points program were Dazzle Surprise, Sunshimmer and Love Wishes. Other merchandise included posters or a play mat to put buildings on. The points program ended on 31 January 2006.

While the line was simultaneously released in the U.S. and Europe, there are a few ponies unavailable in the U.S. such as Winter Snow and some Breezies (small, fairy-like ponies who first appeared in The Princess Promenade). One of the most uncommon ponies in the G3 line was released by mistake in 2004. A Pinkie Pie (with the words "2003 Licensing Show" embedded into her symbol) was used to promote the My Little Pony toy line at the 2003 Spring Licensing Show, and were intended to be released only at that show in a limited edition of 300. Due to a packaging error, a few were packaged as regular ponies and sold in stores. Other limited-edition ponies have been the Pony Project promotional ponies and Rosey Posey, who was given to attendees at a charity dinner held by Hasbro.

Recognizing the older fans of its line, Hasbro has released special collector ponies noticeably different from the regular G3. While some had a general release as "Art Ponies", many are available through special events (such as the annual My Little Pony Collector's Convention and the San Diego Comic Con). These ponies are elaborately designed (such as the underwater-themed art pony which has fish and sea creatures printed all over its body), and come in matching display boxes. The 2011 SDCC pony is black and pink and has a kawaii skull instead of a "cutie mark". There is also a white pony available to customizers. Despite the G3 redesign as Core 7 and the advent of the G4 line, Hasbro has continued the collector-themed G3 ponies in their original poses.

Ponyville figurines

The Ponyville figurines are fully molded plastic and smaller than the main G3 line. Although they have their own playsets and accessories, many of the characters are the same.

Merchandise

A large amount of My Little Pony merchandise has been released for the third generation. The characters can be found on bedding and home decor, clothing, dishware, stationery and school supplies. Plush ponies have been given away as theme-park prizes and used in crane machines. There is a 3-foot (0.91 m) plush-pony line which was first available for sale in Australia; the characters include Rainbow Dash, Minty, Sweetberry and the special Kimono (which was used as a prize by Red Rooster restaurants and Target). McDonald's has also featured ponies in its Happy Meal promotions, as have other fast food chains. Eight characters were used in the first U.S. McDonald's promotion, while other countries' chain restaurants had four.

Like other cartoon characters of the 1980s, My Little Pony merchandise aimed at young women has also appeared (including T-shirts depicting G1 ponies in a "retro" style, featuring slogans such as "Livin' in the 80s" or "I Love Rainbows"). Hasbro sold the digital gaming rights based to their properties (including My Little Pony, Magic: The Gathering, Tonka, Playskool, and Transformers) to Infogrames for USD$100 million in 2000, buying back the rights for USD$65 million in June 2005.^[1]

Core 7

In 2009 Hasbro redesigned the My Little Pony characters, and limited the ponies to seven main characters: Cheerilee, Toola-Roola, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Starsong. The ponies' bodies were shrunk, their heads were larger and their eyes took on a more innocent, childlike appearance. The hair styles of these ponies were also changed, and many relationships were altered (for instance, Cheerilee became Scootaloo's older sister) in an effort to give the ponies more personality.

Generation Four: Equestria

The fourth and current incarnation of My Little Pony began in 2010 and is generally referred to Generation Four (G4). It features eight characters tied into the TV show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (airing on The Hub): Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Spike the Dragon and Princess Celestia. Set in Equestria, the show centers around the unicorn pony Twilight Sparkle as she learns lessons about friendship. Most of the ponies on the show were designed by animator Lauren Faust, who also developed the show for television. Faust has also worked on other cartoons, most notably as a storyboard artist on Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and The Powerpuff Girls.

Playful Ponies

The first line of Generation Four toys were the Playful Ponies. These feature a smaller pony mold with brushable hair, a saddle or wagon, an animal companion and a comb. This is considered the "basic" release of the series. The first six ponies released were Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity. There are also promotional packs: two-packs, released in Europe. Event Singles were also released in a particular month, including a Valentine's Day Pinkie Pie (released in February 2011) and an Easter Fluttershy (released in April 2011).

Hasbro later announced that the second wave of toys would be released in March 2011. Due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, however, the release was postponed and the toys were released the following month. The second wave omits Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy and includes two new ponies: Cheerilee and Lily Blossom. The third wave was released in May 2011, introducing four new ponies: Cupcake, Lulu Luck, Dewdrop Dazzle and Blossomforth. Wave four was released in July 2011, introducing six new ponies: Feathermay, Flitterheart, Snowcatcher, Twinkleshine, Honeybuzz and Plumsweet.

Story packs

Story Packs were the playsets of the generation. As in previous generations these playsets include at least one pony, one large playset piece and numerous accessories, and were released like the Playful Ponies. Story-pack exclusives include Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Star Swirl (Europe only). These sets include:

• Pinkie Pie and Sweetie Belle's Sweets Boutique
• Fun at the Fair with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle
• Rainbow Dash's Camping Trip
• Fluttershy's Nursery Tree
• Rarity's Royal Gem Carriage
• Applejack's Farm Truck
• Twilight Sparkle's Twinkling Balloon

Ride-along ponies

The Ride-Along series were special versions of the Playful Ponies, each with a scooter and an animal companion. Three sets were released in July 2011 with Wave Four of the Playful Ponies:

• Rainbow Dash and Turtle on a skateboard
• Twilight Sparkle and Cat on a scooter
• Fluttershy and Butterfly on a tricycle

So-soft newborn

This version is identical in design to its G3 counterpart, except they are plush-bodied babies. Three ponies were in this line: Sunny Daze, Sweetie Belle and Pinkie Pie. Each of them includes a pacifier.

Shine Bright ponies

The Shine Bright Ponies have a light-up section when their saddle is pressed. They are slightly bigger than the Playful Ponies, and their legs are poseable. Three ponies were released (Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash), and Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna were released as Target Exclusives.

Fashion ponies

Fashion Ponies are larger versions of the Playful Ponies, each with a unique dress and accessories. Two were released each wave.

Jumbo plush

Several jumbo-plush pony characters were released as Toys "R" Us exclusives. These are an updated design of the generation-three jumbo-plush line, and a Special Storyteller Twilight Sparkle Plush was released as a Target exclusive. This pony sings, talks and tells stories; she has three songs: "Friendship is Magic", "Winter Wrap-Up", and a coda to "Friendship is Magic".

Ponyville singles and surprise bags

In addition to the larger toys, Hasbro also released several Ponyville singles of the main characters. Similar to the generation-three Ponyville line, these sculpted toys were sold individually or in a four-pack. In Europe, there were 24 smaller "surprise-bag" sculpted toys. They were sold in opaque packages, without noting which toy is in the bag (hence the "surprise"). In America, the opaque bags were released in a 12-piece box set as a Toys "R" Us exclusive.

Canterlot

In July 2011, Hasbro agreed with Target to release an exclusive line centering around Canterlot (the capital city of Equestria, where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna live). The promotion included a theme area in stores with My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic stands and signage.

Animated features

Television and theatrical

The first My Little Pony cartoon was the prime-time special Rescue at Midnight Castle in 1984. It was followed by a similar special in 1985, Escape from Catrina, in which Tammy Grimes voiced the title character. In 1986, the ponies appeared in their first feature film, My Little Pony: The Movie. Directed by Michael Joens, it featured the voices of Rhea Perlman, Madeline Kahn, Tony Randall and Danny DeVito. It had mediocre box-office earnings (grossing almost $6 million in the United States)^[2] and received mostly negative reviews from critics.

It was followed by the more-popular My Little Pony TV series. The cartoons promoted many of the toys available in 1986-1987, featuring a regular cast of Earth, Pegasus and Unicorn ponies with guest appearances by new lines (such as the Flutter and Princess Ponies). It also used the theme song featured in TV advertisements for the brand (as did other series based on Hasbro properties). The TV specials, the movie and the TV series were all set in the same milieu: Dream Valley, a land inhabited by witches, goblins and other magical creatures with whom the ponies, their human friend Megan, and their dragon friend Spike interacted. A later program, My Little Pony Tales, was set in a different environment. This series anthropomorphised the ponies; they lived in a town, went to school, ran businesses, went on vacation and exchanged currency for goods.

In 2004, the first season of the original My Little Pony television series was released on DVD. The four-DVD collection features the two prime-time television specials and 50 episodes from the original series. Some songs from the original airing of the two specials have been cut, leaving the specials as they appeared when syndicated as part of the cartoon series. The ten-episode miniseries The End of Flutter Valley was released on DVD in 2005. 2006 brought the release of episodes from the second season, with two DVD releases: Flight to Cloud Castle and Other Stories and Quest of the Princess Ponies and Other Stories and a DVD entitled Two Great Pony Tales (with The Magic Coins and The Glass Princess available in eight episodes). In 2010 a new TV series, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, debuted and has become popular on the internet.

Direct-to-video (2000s)

Between 2003 and 2009 (prior to 2010's Friendship is Magic), the ponies appeared in a series of direct-to-VHS/DVD movies. These are set in yet another milieu, and feature the G3 ponies:

• A Charming Birthday (2003) - A direct-to-VHS release, it was not sold on its own but packaged with some of the early G3s.
• Dancing in the Clouds (2004) - This was a VHS included with the first Pegasus pony of the G3 line, Star Catcher.
• Friends Are Never Far Away (2005) - A DVD that packaged with a new Pegasus Pony, Hidden Treasure
• My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas (October 25, 2005) - The first video sold by itself, available in both VHS and DVD. It included Dancing in the Clouds as a bonus episode. Re-released in October 2008 with a bonus Ponyville Minty figurine.
• My Little Pony: The Princess Promenade (February 7, 2006) - Featured the debut of the redesigned Spike the Dragon, originally featured in G1 (this makes Spike the only character to appear in both the G1 and G3 cartoons). It also included Breezies: small, fairy-like ponies. It was available on VHS and DVD, and included A Charming Birthday as a bonus episode.
• My Little Pony Crystal Princess: The Runaway Rainbow (September 12, 2006) - Featured the new G3 unicorn, Rarity. Only released on DVD, it included "Friends Are Never Far Away" as a bonus episode.
• My Little Pony: A Very Pony Place (February 6, 2007) - Three New Pony Tales including "Come Back, Lily Lightly", "Two For the Sky" and "Positively Pink". Each story features Lily Lightly, Storybelle and Puzzlemint.
• My Little Pony: Pinkie Pie's Special Day (2008) - Packaged in a set of the same name, with Pinkie Pie in an outfit resembling the one worn in the episode.
• My Little Pony: Meet the Ponies (2008) - A DVD containing several mini-episodes featuring the core seven ponies which were first available online. Packaged with the first wave of the core-seven pony toys
• My Little Pony: Starsong and the Magic Dance Shoes (2008) - Packaged in a set of the same name, with Starsong in an outfit resembling the one worn in the episode
• My Little Pony: Rainbow Dash's Special Day (2009) - Packaged in a set of the same name, with Rainbow Dash in an outfit resembling the one worn in the episode
• My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure (October 13, 2009) - Released by Shout! Factory and Hasbro, this DVD includes a feature-length movie, sing-a-longs and other bonus material.^[3]

Live Musicals

My Little Pony Live: The World's Biggest Tea Party is a 90-minute musical produced by Hasbro and VEE Corporation,^[4] first announced in June 19, 2006 and stars Pinkie Pie, Minty, Sweetberry, Sew-and-so, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Thistle Whistle, Zipzee, Tra La La, Tiddlywink, and Wysteria. The show opened later in October 2006, and was released on DVD on September 16, 2008.

Video games

In addition to the toys and the three animated series, the franchise has also produced games: two for generation three and two for generation four.

My Little Pony Crystal Princess: The Runaway Rainbow

My Little Pony Crystal Princess: The Runaway Rainbow
Developer(s)	Webfoot Technologies
Publisher(s)	THQ
Platform(s)	Game Boy Advance
Release date(s)	NA September 13, 2006
Genre(s)	Adventure/Puzzle
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	ESRB: E
Media/distribution	Game Boy Advance Game Pak

This is a adventure/puzzle video game developed by Webfoot Technologies and published by THQ under license from Hasbro. It was released for Game Boy Advance on September 13, 2006 in North America. The game recreates events from the movie, featuring mini-games and puzzles.

My Little Pony: Pinkie Pie's Party

My Little Pony: Pinkie Pie's Party
Developer(s)	Webfoot Technologies
Publisher(s)	THQ
Platform(s)	Nintendo DS
Release date(s)	NA September 22, 2008
Genre(s)	Adventure/Puzzle
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	ESRB: E
Media/distribution	2 gigabit cartridge

This is also an adventure/puzzle video game developed by Webfoot Technologies and published by THQ under license from Hasbro. The game was released for Nintendo DS on September 22, 2008. Similar to "Crystal Princess: The Runaway Rainbow", the game also features puzzles and mini-games utilizing the Nintendo DS's capabilities.

My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day

Main article: My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day

This is a puzzle/storybook game developed by Ruckus Media, published by Hasbro and inspired by the animated television series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

My Little Pony: Fighting Is Magic

Main article: My Little Pony: Fighting Is Magic

This is an upcoming fan-made fighting game inspired by the animated television series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.^[5][6] It is under development by a team of nine unpaid creators known as Mane6.^[7] Since it is a fangame, it is neither licensed nor endorsed by Hasbro.

Imitations

During the 1990s, other toy companies desired to benefit from the success of the My Little Pony line; imitations were produced and sold after the discontinuation of the generation-one toys in 1994 and before the generation-two line was produced and sold in 1997. Of many imitations, the four listed below were popular with young girls in the early to mid-1990s and were available at toy stores. These toys had similarities to both the My Little Pony and Dream Beauties lines. In the My Little Pony collecting community, these are known as "fakies" or "bootlegs"; however, some are sought after by collectors:

Secret Wish Horse

These were colorful, plastic horses with rooted eyelashes and a bejeweled saddle that would open up to reveal a surprise (earrings, a bracelet or a ring). They also came with a necklace similar to a magic 8-ball that was said to make a girl's wishes come true. They were made by Tyco.

Fantasy Fillies

These were colorful plastic horses that were produced by Empire/Marchon. The designer of this line also designed Fashion Star Fillies by Kenner in 1987. They came as pegasi, unicorns, horses and mini-fillies. One had hair that could grow (called Princess Growing Hair), and a filly was sold with a carriage.

Magic Touch Pony

These were made of plastic and came in different colors. They had symbols on their flanks, like My Little Ponies and Dream Beauties. Some had hooves that would light up, a necklace that lit up, plastic flowers in their manes that would light up, and some played music.

Cabbage Patch Ponies

These were made by Hasbro. They were made of rubber and came in different colors; some had glittery bodies. Some had hair that could be combed, while others had yarn for hair. There were unicorns, pegasi and ponies.

When Hasbro discontinued the generation-one My Little Pony line in 1994 some pony molds were obtained by other toy companies, who made their own "pony" toys. The second generation was not popular in the United States, and there are few imitations; however, generation-three imitations exist. There are websites to help people identify My Little Ponies manufactured by Hasbro and recognize imitations. Many (but not all) imitations are sold at dollar stores.

Custom ponies

A feature of the pony-collecting scene is the making and selling of custom ponies. This is an art form in which common or poor-condition ponies (called "bait") are redesigned according to the vision of the artist. Customizers may paint new symbols on the pony, change its body color, paint its eyes, re-thread its manes and tails with a different color of nylon hair, or dye faded hair.^[8] Some custom ponies are elaborate, using sculpted parts, specially made wings, unicorn horns, rhinestones and/or detailed painting. Some websites dedicated to My Little Ponies offer advice on customizing. Custom ponies (and regular ones) are popular on eBay. Although this is typically not a profitable enterprise, some custom ponies have sold for more than $170. Websites assisting customizers sometimes sell products such as paint and hair. Artists are commissioned by collectors and non-collectors to make a unique pony.

Collector guides

Several books have been published for My Little Pony collectors:

• The World of My Little Pony: An Unauthorized Guide for Collectors by Debra L. Birge
• My Little Pony around the World by Debra L. Birge
• The My Little Pony G2 Collector's Inventory: An unofficial full color illustrated guide to the second generation of MLP including all ponies, playsets, and accessories released from 1997 to 2003 by Summer Hayes
• The My Little Pony 2007-2008 Collector's Inventory by Summer Hayes

In popular culture

My Little Pony, a popular toy line, is referenced in a variety of media. The ponies have had cameo appearances in movies and TV shows, including two Robot Chicken shorts, several appearances in the Cartoon Network show Dexter's Laboratory and Veronica Mars. My Little Pony toys appear on The Cosby Show, G4's show Action Blast!, Cartoon Network's The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Boy Meets World and The OC. In the 2007 Transformers film a My Little Pony toy appears as a reference to Hasbro (which owns the licenses for My Little Pony and Transformers). The toys are also mentioned in the films Meet the Robinsons and Nickelodeon's movie Spectacular! (which includes one actor, Venus Terzo, who does voice-overs on the My Little Pony TV series). References to My Little Pony also appear in the Backyard Sports series of video games.

Nicknames and gags related to My Little Pony have been created for prominent people. Radio talk-show host Laura Ingraham referred to former Senator John Edwards as "Silky Pony" and plays the My Little Pony theme music when discussing him. Jonathan I. Schwartz, CEO of Sun Microsystems, was nicknamed "MLP" by Daniel Lyons. In 2005, when US President George W. Bush nominated Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, political cartoonist Steve Sack drew a cartoon depicting Bush brushing a pony toy with false eyelashes with the title "My Little Crony" shortly after the dismissal of Michael D. Brown for failing to handle the Hurricane Katrina crisis.

Wizards of the Coast, Something Positive, Slashdot, Powerpuff Girls Doujinshi, and Sister Claire have all referenced My Little Pony in gags and April Fool's jokes.^[9][10][11] A Nick at Nite ad for Mister Ed says he's no "My Little Pony". In the seventh book in the Artemis Fowl book series, The Atlantis Complex the antagonist (Turnball Root) refers to the centaur Foaly as "My Little Pony". In Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, it is referenced as "My Little Binky", which Death bought as a present for his granddaughter Susan (Binky, in this case, was Death's horse). A June 2011 article in Wired.com focused on “bronies” (“bro ponies”): adult men who are fans of the 2010 television series.^[12]

References

1. ^ "HASBRO REACQUIRES DIGITAL GAMING RIGHTS FROM INFOGRAMES FOR $65 MILLION", Hasbro press release, 9 June 2005.
2. ^ "Boxofficemojo -My Little Pony (1986)". http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mylittlepony.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-24. 
3. ^ "Shout! Factory Store". Shout! Factory Store. http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=5257054. Retrieved 2010-08-24. 
4. ^ "My Little Pony Live". March 12, 2007. http://www.mylittleponylive.com/. 
5. ^ Zivalich, Nikole (21 July 2011). "My Little Pony: Fighting Is Magic -- Nugget From The Net". G4. G4 Media. http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/713871/my-little-pony-fighting-is-magic-nugget-from-the-net/. Retrieved 8 August 2011. 
6. ^ Kuang, Jason (28 July 2011). "My Little Pony gets a 2D fighter: Bronies, time to knuckle up". 2d-x.com. Second Dimension Entertainment. http://www.2d-x.com/my-little-pony-gets-a-2d-fighter-bronies-time-to-knuckle-up/. Retrieved 8 August 2011. 
7. ^ Ченцов, Илья (28 July 2011). "Большие Безобразия маленьких пони [Big Hijinks of Little Ponies]" (in Russian) (PDF). Страна Игр (Russia: Gameland) (324): 62–70. EAN-13 4607157100056. http://mane6.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/gameland-mlp-fighting-is-magic.pdf. Retrieved 8 August 2011. , translation available
8. ^ Custom Pony .com - Doll Hair - OOAK Customs Restoration & Tutorials
9. ^ "Here Come the Ponies". Wizard.com. April 1, 2006. http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dd/20060401a. 
10. ^ "Something*Positive". r*k*milholland. May 28, 2008. http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp05282008.shtml. 
11. ^ "Slashdot's Ponies". April 1, 2006. http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecomputermutt/120972005/. 
12. ^ http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/06/bronies-my-little-ponys/

Further reading

• Summer Hayes (May 1, 2008) The My Little Pony G1 Collector's Inventory: an unofficial full color illustrated collector's price guide to the first generation of MLP including all US ponies, playsets and accessories released before 1997 with a foreword by Dream Valley's Kim Shriner. Priced Nostalgia Press. ISBN 978-0-9786063-1-2
• Summer Hayes (2007) The My Little Pony G3 Collector's Inventory: an unofficial full color illustrated guide to the third generation of MLP including all ponies, playsets and accessories from 2003 to the present. Priced Nostalgia Press. ISBN 978-0-9786063-5-0
• Hillary DePiano (2005) The My Little Pony Collector's Inventory: A Complete Checklist of All US Ponies, Playsets and Accessories from 1981 to 1992. Priced Nostalgia Press. ISBN 1-4116-2165-4

External links

• My Little Pony on Hasbro.com, the official site.