Mainsail
Mainsail was one of the earth ponies released in the Sunshine Pony
set. She was sold in the North American release in 1989 and
comprised one of the four characters sold in the UK and Europe in
1990. She was sold with the same accessory in both places - a
green butterfly brush. In the UK and Europe, she was sold on a
yellow bordered card. She featured under the rainbow on all cards
sold during 1990 in the UK and Europe.
She had a white streak in her mane and tail which went magenta in
sunlight.
Mainsail Mint on Card
UK/European style package, Benelux release, 1990
Image from Shivhae
The loose pony shown at the top of the page is my sister's
childhood pony. She has been well-loved and so has probably seen
better days!
Mainsail's Character
Mainsail was a sailing pony, and, like Seaspray, Tug and
Barnacle before her, she had a sailboat of her own, and often
featured in the comic riding on board it.
Mainsail's Boat
My Little Pony Comic, UK, 1991
Her story on her backcard also covers this theme. The
story is the same in the UK as in North America, but with some
edits for spelling such as 'colour'. Why or how she is taking
magical powder from the rainbow is still open to speculation.
Although her card mentions 'long curls', Mainsail was sold with
straight hair.
Mainsail's Backcard Story
UK, 1990
Sand Digger was pictured on the back of all of
the Sunshine Pony cards in the UK/European release, so her
image here has nothing to do with Mainsail or her story.
