Cherries Jubilee in the United Kingdom

Cherries Jubilee was sold in the United Kingdom first as part of the 1985 Earth Pony set. Although this name never appeared on the UK card, Hasbro UK's list for 1985 classifies this group as "Groom and Style Ponies". This was one of the earliest sets to feature curly hair, and the original release of Cherries Jubilee was sold with curls.

Note: Curls wash out of pony hair easily if groomed when wet. Many loose Groom & Style Cherries Jubilees are found with their curls no longer intact.

Cherries Jubilee would be re-released in the UK in 1986 with a new look. She was also released in other versions in Europe and as part of the So Soft Release. This page deals with the original 1985 release, which was sold worldwide.

This first edition of Cherries Jubilee was sold with the same accessories worldwide, although the card she was sold on differed between locations. There are sometimes minor batch variations in shade of brush and ribbon. Variations in the tone of Cherries Jubilee's symbol are also common, but Groom & Style Cherries Jubilee's symbols are never as dark as those featured in the 1986-7 UK and European releases. The below image shows two 1985 Cherries Jubilees compared with the Second Edition from 1986.

Cherries Jubilee symbol difference examples

Cherries Jubilee was a popular pony that sold well, and is extremely common second-hand, with the original 1985 version being the most common version of all.

In Europe, versions of Cherries Jubilee 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 Cherries Jubilee
(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). In these areas, these cards were recycled for the 1986 release, even though the 1985 artwork did not include all of the new 1986 characters. In the UK, a new card was produced for 1986, whilst no equivalent set existed in North America in 1986.A third card was produced for the 1987 release in Scandinavia and South Africa.
The UK card featured the name of the pony under the rainbow, while the US card had it printed on the right, beside the pony's head.
The included accessories for Cherries Jubilee in 1985 were the same across regions, regardless of the style of card.
(Image of US MOC Cherries Jubilee kindly donated by Shivhae)

MOC Cherries Jubilee
(US, 1985)

Cherries Jubilee's Character

Cherries Jubilee is one of the most well-known early characters in the United Kingdom. She was depicted as a capable little pony fond of festivities, especially the cherry blossom parade, for which she was often the carnival queen.

Cherries Jubilee creates a cherry blossom float
My Little Pony Comic

 She appeared frequently in the comic both as a background character as an active participant, such as in rescuing Firefly from Contrarytown in issue 47.

Cherries Jubilee 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.