The Pony Club ran in the UK for several years before they issued
any ponies, and the first one seemed a bit experimental. She was
all white all over, with no symbol, and the idea was to give her
an identity yourself. She was promoted with the tagline, "I'd Love
To Be Yours", emotional blackmail that kids everywhere fell for
(including me! I still remember begging my parents to let me renew
my club membership!)
My Little Pony Activity Club 1989 Baby Pony UK Comic advert
The full advert from the comic, including information about
the other things included in the activity packs, can be found here.
When receiving the club pamphlet, there was a graphic of the
pony with a speech bubble saying, "I'm yours!". Happy kids
everywhere!
"I'm Yours" UK My Little Pony Activity Club 1989, newsletter 1
It's not uncommon to find them second hand with a symbol drawn on.
I didn't draw a symbol, but mine was known by the name "Beauty."
(Or Buety, since I couldn't spell!)
The pony pictured above is not my childhood original, she has
rather seen better days!
My adoption certificate was also filled in by childhood me, but
here it is with the scribble edited out :)
My Little Pony Club Adoption Certificate UK, 1989
The club newsletters in 1989 were family themed - advertised with
the Loving Family Ponies, and full of things around Baby Pony,
which included how to make her clothing, a bed for the night, and
other things including communication of popular names from
members. (Beauty was never mentioned, so I was clearly an original
namer!)
Tips "From the Loving Family Ponies" on looking after Baby
Pony UK Activity Club newsletter, 1989
She was originally advertised with red hair, but the pony actually
ended up with white, making her a literal 'blank slate'.