Sunlight in the United Kingdom
Sunlight was sold in the United Kingdom from the end of 1984,
although her set was officially part of 1985, and appeared on the
1985 UK insert. The set had been released in North America in
early 1984, and there are no major variations in pony or accessory
between these releases. The card style was distinctive in the UK,
being vertical rather than horizontal.
There was only one set of Rainbow Ponies in the United Kingdom,
unlike in other places. For this reason, it is highly likely that
Sunlight and her companions stayed in stores until around 1986,
although this is hard to completely verify. They are not uncommon
second hand.
There can be minor variations in batch with ponies from this set,
including slightly different plastic shades on the body, magenta
shades in the hair, and whether or not the glitter on the symbol
is underwritten with a printed marking (rather than just being
glitter).
Sunlight, Mint on UK Card
(1984-5)
Sunlight in Other Places
Sunlight was also part of several European releases, where she
was often found made in Italy. She was not rereleased in the
1985 set in North America, but was available through subsequent
horseshoe point mail in offers up to around 1986.
She appears to have been sold in Norway via import on US cards
(thanks to Katrine for this information). It is possible that
she was also released this way in Sweden, or she may have been
included in the later European rainbow set, although she was not
pictured on the card.
Sunlight's Character
Sunlight was a fairly obscure pony in the UK pony comics, as
many of the earlier ponies were. Her fact file entry suggests
she was a playful pony who liked to chase her own shadow, and
play hide and seek with it around the trees. She never appeared
in the animated specials.
