Sunspot was one of the earth ponies from the
Sparkle Pony release. This store-released version was
available in the UK in 1989, and was sold on a card with a
narrow blue border around the edge, and yellow name/set name
bubbles. She was sold with a comb but no ribbon - although in
Spain the release did have a ribbon.
Sunspot, Mint on Card
UK, 1989
Sunspot was sold in North America on a
very similar card (no border/pink name bubbles) and with
the same accessory. Some releases of the Sparkle Ponies
came with free pony makeup - an offer not available in the
UK.
Sunspot, Mint on Card with free lipstick
North America, 1989
Image from Shivhae
Sunspot has fading pink hair which is often
found in white on the second hand market. Some Sunspots
weirdly have mane and tail rooted in different kind of pink
hair, with manes that fade and tails that tend not to. This is
a known anomaly but not a valuable variation - a Sunspot with
original (not re-dyed) pink hair is generally more sought
after.
Tinsel in Sunspot's mane can also be gold or gold-silver. It
is not clear whether this gold-silver is because of age or
discolouration.
Sunspot's first comic appearance in the UK was in issue 100,
where the Sparkle Ponies made their debut. She appeared (albeit
in a flashback) in Star Hopper's account of how the Sparkle
Ponies became sparkly. According to Star Hopper's story, she put
her cup on her saucer upside-down and touched it with her horn,
when it became a flying saucer (of course it did!) and sparkled
them both with stardust.
