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G2 Pony Identification

With their debut in 1982, Hasbro's My Little Pony line became an instant success. The toys, and their accompanying cartoon series, enchanted their fan base (mainly young girls) and inspired collectors of all ages. The first set of ponies -- with names like Blossom, Bluebell and Butterscotch -- were grouped into the first generation (G1) classification. In 1997, the G2 series launched with a fresh herd. Hasbro discontinued G2 sales in the United States in 1999, though the line lasted in Europe for four more years. In 2003, the My Little Pony franchise continued with the G3 line.

Rollout
- The G2 line began in the winter of 1997 with two sets of ponies. Secret Surprise Friends included Berry Bright, Morning Glory, Petal Blossom, Sky Skimmer and Clever Clover. The Magic Motion Friends were Ivy and Sundance. In 1998, these sets added eight new ponies between them; another seven appeared in 1999. That same year brought three more sets: Princess Ponies, Royal Ladies and Special Theme Ponies. From 2000 to 2003, the G2 series expanded into numerous additional lines and dozens of new ponies. These characters arrived in mother/child combinations, baby twins, fantasy hair models and "romantic couples," including Prince Fauna and Princess Flora, and Prince Blue Dream and Princess Golden Dream.
Characteristics
- The G2 ponies, who live in the Friendship Gardens, retained the rainbow themes and symbols on their hips. However, they are smaller and slimmer than their G1 counterparts, and have rounder faces with small gems in their eyes. The newer ponies can move their heads; models from the Magic Motion line can also move a leg or a tail. According to the Rainbow Forest site, G2's line of baby ponies proved more popular with collectors than their adult counterparts, thanks to their wide-eyed faces and chubby legs.
Accessories
- A full set of accessories came with each G2 pony, in contrast to the G1 line, which came with a comb or brush and a ribbon. Magic Motion ponies were especially well-accessorized, with large-size add-ons like a tea party table and a jewelry closet.
Collecting
- Some 185 G2 ponies appeared over a seven-year span. The Rainbow Forest site notes that this line was not as popular with collectors as the G1 and G3 releases; but over time the ponies, their accessories and their playsets have found more interest via Internet sales and other secondhand markets. McDonald's offered a line of Happy Meal G2 ponies in 1998; different characters appeared in U.S., U.K. and Denmark restaurants. In June 2011, Angela Watercutter of "Wired" noted a new fan base of collectors: men known as "bronies" (bro ponies).

Collecting Vintage Toys