1989:

SWEETHEART SISTER PONIES

Pony collectors are still divided on this particular style of pony.

The first Sweetheart Sister Ponies were introduced this year, and comprised six new characters - although only four would be released in the United Kingdom (sigh, yes, here we go again). Thinner and more elegant looking than the traditional My Little Pony, it seems that Hasbro intended to convey a more 'teenage' pony...although in the pony comics each of the four sold in the UK was given an adult personality and persona.

Each pony also had one pierced ear, through which was placed a floral style earring. This concept would also be used for the two other Sweetheart Sister Pony sets, although other sets using Sweethert Sister poses would NOT get earrings.

The earrings are easily broken and ponies are often found on the second hand market with them incomplete or missing completely.

Another difference between the UK and the North American release was the style of packaging. Whilst they were sold sealed onto cards in North America, the UK (and continental European) release saw them in pink bordered boxes. In both releases, each pony had a hair brush and a floral lace ribbon - however the colours also varied between North America and the UK.

Whilst the four UK released characters - Flowerburst, Dainty, Wild Flower and Spring Song - were *always* sold with accessories to match their earring colours, the North American release set were not.