Applejack in the United Kingdom

The 'Collector Pose' version of Applejack was released in the United Kingdom and Europe as part of the 1985 Earth Pony set. While the Collector Pose itself is the oldest pony pose, this is the second release of Applejack, following the  'Shy pose' version sold the year before. Although this name never appeared on the UK card, Hasbro UK's list for 1985 classifies this group as "Groom and Style Ponies". Applejack was one of the straight and silky haired ponies from the set, and in this way she resembled her 1984 predecessor. Like the previous issue, she had freckles on her cheeks.

Sometimes this version is known as "UK" Applejack, but in fact she was widely sold across Europe. She was also not the only version of Applejack sold in the United Kingdom.

This release was the final issue of Applejack in the United Kingdom (at least in Generation 1). Her name would be adopted by one of the Generation 3 ponies in 2003, and in 2011, she was also the base for Friendship is Magic's character Applejack, who bears her a close resemblance. This fact makes her one of the more well known G1 ponies across fans of all generations. This version continued to be sold in some parts of Europe in 1986, as part of a European Earth Pony set.

Although a second release of Applejack was also sold in North America in 1985, she was in the shy pose. This version had curly, not straight hair.

The accessories for the second editions of Applejack differed between regions. In North America, she came with a pink butterfly brush, while in the UK release she had a pink moon and stars comb (see MIP images below). In the UK release of the Groom & Style Set, it was normal for curly haired ponies to have butterfly brushes and straight haired ponies to have moon and star combs, whilst in North America the whole set were more uniform, coming with butterfly brushes.

Applejack was a popular pony that sold well, and is extremely common second-hand.

In Europe, versions of Applejack made in other places (like Spain and Italy) were also available, but these were not sold in the United Kingdom.

Comparing MOC Versions: UK vs US (1985)

MOC Applejack
(UK, 1985)

The art styles on these two different cards were typical of cards released in these areas during 1985. In Europe, a mixture of these two styles was used. It is more common to find this set in the Netherlands or Belgium with the US artwork (albeit translated), while in Scandinavia, the UK style of card was used (and sold in English).

The UK card featured the name of the pony under the rainbow, while the US card had it printed on the bottom. (Image of Collector Pose Applejack on UK card donated by Rosse)

MOC Applejack
(US, 1985)

Applejack's Character

A little dopey and inevitably loveable, Applejack played a major role in both the US and the UK concept of My Little Pony, and her character has made her a firm fan favourite.Applejack was a clumsy pony who meant well but who was mostly driven by a passion and obsession for apples. Sometimes her clumsiness had good results - such as rescuing the Twinkle Eye ponies from their cave confinement. Some early stories list Applejack as a boy, but she is mostly presented as a girl. She was particularly good friends with Bow-Tie.

Applejack was one of the six ponies chosen to be given a song in the "Seven Songs and a Story" record and cassette release in the UK in 1985-6.