The My Little Pony Scrapbook: G1 in the UK and Europe

1994

The Final Curtain


1994

Great Hair Pony Ringlets
1994, UK Insert

Search the Scrapbook
search engine by freefind advanced
The 1990s: Years Active
 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 (Netherlands)

Ponies Sold in 1994 in the UK Rainbow Family Babies and Adults (Family Friends and Family Babies) | Surprise Newborns | Sweetie Babies | Jewellery Babies | Rollerskates Ponies | Surprise Twins Pony | Nurse Ponies | Bed and Crib Set | Great Hair Ponies| Seven Characters (My Little Pony Tales) |Bridal Beauty

1994 in the UK

 1994 was the last year of My Little Pony in the UK and most of Europe. The one exception was the Netherlands, who had an additional range in 1995, but for the most part, this was the end of the journey. Distribution of the ponies from this year's release was patchy and piecemeal across the UK in particular, with some areas never getting the bulk of the range. There were also some sets which, despite not being part of the year's release, were around on store shelves as clearance ponies. German and French packaged versions of some ponies, including Rockin' Beats, Princess Sparkle and the Birthday Pony were not uncommon at Woolworths and Children's World. These were usually sold at a steep discount.

Despite the finality of 1994, however, some new things did rise from the ashes of the old. Three new poses were introduced in this year's range. Two were babies - one a modified baby pony pose based on the Baby Glory pose, and another a unique newborn pony pose that looked a bit like a pony rearing. The final new pose was the gimmick of the year, the Surprise Twins pony, who came pregnant and complete with two tiny babies. A new bed and crib set playset was also released, complete with a bassinett for the new babies.

Surprise Twins, Argos 1994
Surprise Twins Pony and Twins, and Bed and Crib Set
Argos, 1994

The Seven Characters also returned this year, with stickers instead of combs and ribbons, and there were hair-styling ponies, jewel themed babies and even a set to swim in the bath, with floats and colour-change hair. Hasbro may be ending the My Little Pony line, but they were determined to end with a flourish.

Interestingly, the majority of the 10th anniversary line from North America, in 1992, never made it to the UK. Europe had successfully pioneered sets through the years before, but in 1993 and 1994, they had taken the whole burden and succeeded in delivering a diverse range to their customers. Many of the ponies from 1994 remain highly sought after even now, thirty years later.

From an uncertain beginning at the very end of 1983, and a conservative launch in 1984, Hasbro UK had provided pretty pastels and vivid neons in equine form to a whole generation of children. They had selected ranges, changed names, chosen gimmicks, created stories, and, piece by piece, built a whole world.

No other generation since has ever matched Generation 1 in either diversity or originality. It is probable that no generation ever will.



Some Highlights of 1994