Your first MLP memory?

[strawberrypony32]

I always look back so fondly on when I discoverd MLPs and I wondered what is everyones first or most prominent memory of MLP? Or some of your favorite MLP memories if not the firsts?

I cant remember which was the exact first time I saw one but I can remember the feeling. They were the most magical thing little 3-4 year old me had ever seen! Finding a pony among the hundreds of tables at large flea markets was such an adventure!

It always will be but back then, I was born in the weird in between when G1 had ended and G2 hadn't started yet. There werent any ponies at the store or information to find about them. All I knew is they were my little ponies. Every time my mom and I went to a flea market I would always think, What kind of pony will i find today? I had no idea what kinds hasbro had released, it was always a surprise.

One fun memory is when I was a little older, about 6. We had found a really cluddered thift shop where everything was stacked on top of each other there weren't any tables, just piles! There was a sign on a wall saying " If you cant reach it you cant have it" hahaha it was bizzare. I remember running from my mom in search of ponies and eventually squeezed my way through two old china cabinets to find a glass case that was crooked, kind of propped sideways on a pile of things. There before me in that crooked cabinet was a display of ponies! There was a Medley, Moondancer, Skydancer, Majesty, and a few more I dont remember.

Needless to say little me lost it haha. We were able to get two I think. We couldnt afford more. We went back every pay day to buy another! I also got a Clydesdale horse that had been sitting below the case. He has been a long time friend to my ponies! I dont remember if we ever bought all the ponies but we got most of them. I went back as a teenager to find the same glass case and it was empty. So they must have all gotten homes if not mine haha. I got Moondancer, Majesty, SkyDancer, and Medley from that case.

 

[ReUnicorn (Heelys)]

I remember opening up my Rainbow Dash on Christmas morning, either 2003 or 2004. It was from my older brother, and I was delighted. I'd seen a display of ponies at the store somewhere and been smitten with them, and I was thrilled that he'd noticed (even though it was probably my parents who helped him pick it out.)

Then in 2006, my family had moved out of the country just in time for my birthday. It was a pretty lonely birthday, given that I couldn't talk to any of my friends. My grandmother had my birthday present ready for me, however: I had asked for The Runaway Rainbow, but she'd just bought the first DVD she found with My Little Pony on it. The DVD was one of the Rhino releases of MLP and Friends, and I was stunned-- there used to be a My Little Pony TV show? Who were all these ponies? Wait, the toys have been around for THAT long?!

That's probably the exact moment that my childhood obsession evolved into a full-on ADHD Hyperfixation. I had to know EVERYTHING. I was going to follow this rainbow and know all about My Little Pony, and that was one of the things that kept me going that year-- old fan websites and resources, swallowing every bit of MLP that was on the pre-youtube internet. (I'm very greatful that this was also the pre-brony internet. I would be a very different Heelys if I was consuming all of That Mess.)

 

[blueming]

My parents bought a few of the G3 ponies for me as a kid (that’s why G3 is my favorite generation), but my pony obsession didn’t start until the channel that had my favorite show on it, Discovery Kids, was turned into “the hub” when hasbro bought part of it. I was so sad because my favorite show wasn’t going to be on anymore, but then mlp friendship is magic started airing on the hub and I was hooked!

 

[strawberrypony32]

I remember opening up my Rainbow Dash on Christmas morning, either 2003 or 2004. It was from my older brother, and I was delighted. I'd seen a display of ponies at the store somewhere and been smitten with them, and I was thrilled that he'd noticed (even though it was probably my parents who helped him pick it out.)

Then in 2006, my family had moved out of the country just in time for my birthday. It was a pretty lonely birthday, given that I couldn't talk to any of my friends. My grandmother had my birthday present ready for me, however: I had asked for The Runaway Rainbow, but she'd just bought the first DVD she found with My Little Pony on it. The DVD was one of the Rhino releases of MLP and Friends, and I was stunned-- there used to be a My Little Pony TV show? Who were all these ponies? Wait, the toys have been around for THAT long?!

That's probably the exact moment that my childhood obsession evolved into a full-on ADHD Hyperfixation. I had to know EVERYTHING. I was going to follow this rainbow and know all about My Little Pony, and that was one of the things that kept me going that year-- old fan websites and resources, swallowing every bit of MLP that was on the pre-youtube internet. (I'm very greatful that this was also the pre-brony internet. I would be a very different Heelys if I was consuming all of That Mess.)

Thats a wonderul memory!! T_T im glad my little pony helped so many of us. I remember back then when I first found the old fan sites too! My mom bought me the pony identification guide books too, I was so thrilled!! Collecting was so different back then!

My parents bought a few of the G3 ponies for me as a kid (that’s why G3 is my favorite generation), but my pony obsession didn’t start until the channel that had my favorite show on it, Discovery Kids, was turned into “the hub” when hasbro bought part of it. I was so sad because my favorite show wasn’t going to be on anymore, but then mlp friendship is magic started airing on the hub and I was hooked

I discovered mlp on the hub by chance too! I had taken a break from ponies when G3 ended and had gotten caught up in highschool so I never knew when G4 came out. I didnt realize it existed until i saw them at the store and they were so different! I was kind of shocked, then we ended up getting on demand cable for a bit with a promotion. I found the hub and saw my little pony airing and went "Whaaaatttt" Similarly i was hooked and bought my first g4 pony haha.

@strawberrypony32 a moderator edit has been made to combine multiple posts to coincide with out multiple posting rules.

 

[Icey]

Probably not my first, but my weirdest MLP memory was playing with Toosie (whom I got for Christmas) while lying on my stomach on the couch while my Mom changed the bandages on my back. My step sister had accidentally poured scalding hot water down my back (she was tripped by my brother who was attempting to 'break dance'). I had a huge burn on my back, it was pretty gross from what I have been told - LOL! I obviously could not see it well.

 

[AzaleaArt]

I remember me and my older sister playing with her ponys Merry Treat, Lollipop and a little fakie called Aces on the floor at my Nana’s house when I was I think 4 and she was around 8. And for a while she made my parents put the mlp movie on at least once a week too. She outgrew them like 2 years later and I have no idea where her ponys went so I didn’t have any to play with for like 4 years, and then in 2003 we were out Christmas shopping (like I’d pick out what I wanted to get my brothers and sisters and the grown ups would pay for it) and I saw Wysteria sitting on a shelf. I was so excited that the amazing ponys I remembered playing with still existed and insisted on getting her for my little sister so she could grow up playing with them too And bonus, that year unwrapping presents my parents got me my very own! Sweetberry (I still have her and she’s my most special pony)

@blueming what was your favorite show on discovery kids? I used to love watching Strange Days at Blakholsey High on there and my sister liked Darcy’s Wildlife

 

[blueming]

I remember me and my older sister playing with her ponys Merry Treat, Lollipop and a little fakie called Aces on the floor at my Nana’s house when I was I think 4 and she was around 8. And for a while she made my parents put the mlp movie on at least once a week too. She outgrew them like 2 years later and I have no idea where her ponys went so I didn’t have any to play with for like 4 years, and then in 2003 we were out Christmas shopping (like I’d pick out what I wanted to get my brothers and sisters and the grown ups would pay for it) and I saw Wysteria sitting on a shelf. I was so excited that the amazing ponys I remembered playing with still existed and insisted on getting her for my little sister so she could grow up playing with them too And bonus, that year unwrapping presents my parents got me my very own! Sweetberry (I still have her and she’s my most special pony)

@blueming what was your favorite show on discovery kids? I used to love watching Strange Days at Blakholsey High on there and my sister liked Darcy’s Wildlife

It was called Mystery Hunters. I was really big into paranormal stuff as a kid, definitely started because I watched a lot of Scooby Doo.

 

[strawberrypony32]

Probably not my first, but my weirdest MLP memory was playing with Toosie (whom I got for Christmas) while lying on my stomach on the couch while my Mom changed the bandages on my back. My step sister had accidentally poured scalding hot water down my back (she was tripped by my brother who was attempting to 'break dance'). I had a huge burn on my back, it was pretty gross from what I have been told - LOL! I obviously could not see it well.

Oh my gosh!! That sounds awful im sorry! Im glad you were okay and had your pony with you! Thats a really unique memory! I dont think I ever got Tootsie, shes so pretty

Hm the weirdest MLP memory I think was when my mom and I were at a yardsale she found one of the teeny tiny baby ponies. I was probably 4? Maybe 5. Really young. She found the pony and it was so different from any pony I had ever seen, I didnt even think it was a pony so i said no. My mom, bless my mom, she knew better and bought it anyway. I now have the baby pony proudly displayed on a shelf all these years later. Its the only pony I ever refused haha I was too young and confused. My 4 year old brain was like, its got MLP eyes but it looks so weird haha.

I remember me and my older sister playing with her ponys Merry Treat, Lollipop and a little fakie called Aces on the floor at my Nana’s house when I was I think 4 and she was around 8. And for a while she made my parents put the mlp movie on at least once a week too. She outgrew them like 2 years later and I have no idea where her ponys went so I didn’t have any to play with for like 4 years, and then in 2003 we were out Christmas shopping (like I’d pick out what I wanted to get my brothers and sisters and the grown ups would pay for it) and I saw Wysteria sitting on a shelf. I was so excited that the amazing ponys I remembered playing with still existed and insisted on getting her for my little sister so she could grow up playing with them too And bonus, that year unwrapping presents my parents got me my very own! Sweetberry (I still have her and she’s my most special pony)

@blueming what was your favorite show on discovery kids? I used to love watching Strange Days at Blakholsey High on there and my sister liked Darcy’s Wildlife

Thats so nice!! Sweetberry and Wysteria were some of the first g3 i saw too and I was so excited!! Im glad you still have your sweetberry!

@strawberrypony32 a moderator edit has been made to combine multiple posts to coincide with out multiple posting rules.

 

[Leave a Whisper]

I have a very early memory of swishing Windy 's tail in the water and loving the rainbow banner it made.

 

[Tak]

I don’t remember which pony it was, just that it was purple. (Most likely a blossom, but small chance it was glory.) I was only 2, sitting in front of mirrored sliding closet doors and prancing the pony back and forth in front of me, so I could see us both in the mirror, and babbling to her the whole time. I didn’t have a glory a couple years later when I finally got a sea pony which is why I’m pretty sure it was a cf blossom. My grandma always said that she had bought me a pony on that trip to their beach house. The rest of the world didn’t exist… just me, my pony, and our reflections. I was really good at entertaining myself.

 

[nessa16]

Its the only pony I ever refused haha I was too young and confused. My 4 year old brain was like, its got MLP eyes but it looks so weird hahaha

I had a moment thinking this as a kid when I found Creamsicle and Baby Shady at a thrift store. I wasn’t sure about the giraffe but her eyes and feet were like ponies. My cousin also had Kingsley, so I thought maybe she was related. So, I thankfully did not leave her behind.

That is not my first memory though. I think maybe I was about 3. I was at a flea market with my family and I think I was crying about wanting something but my mom distracted me with a Locket instead. She’s the first pony I remember getting in any capacity. I still have her, I believe. One of the last remaining ponies from my childhood herd.

 

[AzaleaArt]

It was called Mystery Hunters. I was really big into paranormal stuff as a kid, definitely started because I watched a lot of Scooby Doo.

Oh nice that sounds like a fun one

Thats so nice!! Sweetberry and Wysteria were some of the first g3 i saw too and I was so excited!! Im glad you still have your sweetberry!

Really? That’s cool they must’ve been some of the ones that hit the stores first. Yup I’d never get rid of her!

I don’t remember which pony it was, just that it was purple. (Most likely a blossom, but small chance it was glory.) I was only 2, sitting in front of mirrored sliding closet doors and prancing the pony back and forth in front of me, so I could see us both in the mirror, and babbling to her the whole time. I didn’t have a glory a couple years later when I finally got a sea pony which is why I’m pretty sure it was a cf blossom. My grandma always said that she had bought me a pony on that trip to their beach house. The rest of the world didn’t exist… just me, my pony, and our reflections. I was really good at entertaining myself.

Well no wonder you favorites are all the purple ones then

 

[ActionHank]

Back in 2012 I got a new laptop and I was looking at the Steam workshop for Left 4 Dead 2 and I was constantly seeing MLP stuff and wondered what all the interest was and finally decided see what it was about, so I pirated the entire first season before I finally watched any of it.

 

[DorkLarue]

I was just about the perfect age for ponies when g3 was a thing, but I don’t think I ever owned any hasbro ponies, which is why I dont have a huge connection to any specific g3 characters. What I did have was a ton of fakies from dollar stores and the tiny toy sections of grocery stores and the like. Little me didn’t know the difference, and was just happy to have the rainbow horses. I specifically remember bringing a couple ponies to the beach on a family trip and building them a sand castle to live in.

 

[yourpinkoverlord]

I was loving ponies straight outta the womb. I was born in 2004 so I have fond memories of both G3, my introduction to ponies, even if I was too young to remember a good few years of it. I never really got any actual ponies from the stores until G3.5 rolled around, but before and even after that I had McDonalds ponies and fakies I fondly remember keeping in a little carrying bag that could turn into a playmat! I would take it with me when my dad had to go places I found boring. I also have a very vivid memory of getting into an argument with someone in kindergarten, because he kept insisting ponies weren’t real because he thought MLP made them up. I kept insisting that they’re real, just not like the MLP ponies and he just refused to believe me. I don’t know why my brain kept this memory but it did and it’s sticking around, lol.
But if I really look back I think my earliest pony memories were the storybooks, my dad used to read to me everyyyy night and the big pink book of G3 stories were some of my favorites. It was such a mistake when I let my parents give it away when I was in a short “I’m too old for ponies!” phase. I should try getting a new copy one day.
Annnnd my earliest G4 memory is seeing ads for the McDonalds promotion, getting offended that they gave Rainbow Dash wings, and repeating Applejack’s name over and over along with my lil sis because she was the first pony I got during that specific McDonalds promotion. It confused my nanny who had no context as to why I got hooked repeating the name of a breakfast cereal.

 

[kedaiyun]

My first MLP memory? As I remember, in the early 90s the ponies arrived to Hungary and I watched the G1 cartoon series on TV. I don't remember the story, only the feeling that I liked it and waited the next episode. Once I was sick and didn't go to school. In the afternoon a classmate brought me the homework and I missed the episode's end.
As a child I didn't have real MLP but some fakies, and some of them I still own. I was very sure that I got the first fakie (and still she is the most precious, because I got her from my grandma who were very close to me and I was very happy to have a pony) in 1994 Easter. But I found a picture of me and my cousin, sitting on the bed and I hold this pony in my hand... and I had no glasses on the picture. So I figured out it might be before, because I wear glasses since end of 1st grade, 1992. I remember my cousin had a MLP with colour changing mane, maybe Wave Runner, I can recall only the colours, maybe purple and teal.
The other early MLP memories are some commercials, like the pony schoolhouse. I didn't remember how it looked, but found some pictures, and said oh, so it was the thing I wanted so badly but never got.
I have only one G2 memory, we were on a school choir trip to Budapest in 1999 and stopped at a McDonald's, and I bought a Happy Meal with Silver Swirl. Some of my schoolmates bought it as well and said (me too) it is funny to buy children's menu as an 8th grader. But I think, secretly everyone liked this toy actually. At least I loved it! But G2 is somehow a "lost generation" for me.
That was in the 90s and later I said goodbye to the ponies for a while, however, I had a mild interest in G3 in the 2000s, but the big comeback waited till I was over 25 and started to rediscover the world of MLP. Now I am 37 and it is a calm hobby for me.

 

[AutumnRoan]

I grew up with two girls in the neighborhood that I would play with. We would worm our way through fences to each others houses and we would sometimes play with My Little Ponies, and sometimes play dress-up. I would avoid buying the ponies they had when I went to the toy shop with my allowance money.

When I turned 11 these two girls were interested in boys and their friends from their own schools (which weren't mine), and they could not be tempted with Pony news or further impromptu play-acting. I wasn't making friends at my new school (the social groups were set in their ways and wouldn't accept newcomers). So it was just me. This is what I did to make the days brighter:

Following the blurbs on the backs of the My Little Pony packages, I created a whole landscape for my ponies that reflected its details. There's a beach for Seashell and an apple orchard for Applejack. If I didn't have any of the sets, I would make them out of boxes and leftover packing styrofoam or anything I found lying around my house. I carefully put every pony away in the castle at night, and shut it so they would be safe. I listened to the radio and made this miniature place where everyone had friends.

My mom snapped a picture:

 

[Emfen]

I have 2;

Some of you might know the Scandinavian mugs, if not they are on the wiki, they are gorgeous. I remember drinking hot cocoa from these as a kid (usually fizzy, galaxy or the one with many dancing with a ribbon), watching MLP tales with my older sibling.
I also recall playing with sherbet on my moms rug, the long strands were a field of grass and flowers she galloped through.

 

[Luminary]

My memories are so blended with the early ponies, I had no idea my first pony was Snuzzle, or that I ever owned Snuzzle until recently! I remember learning how to comb the hair on Skydancer...or maybe Applejack. I remember being unable to read and dad reading me Glory's backcard, playing with sea light in the bath, Bubbles as well, but several years later I was openning up the birthday party gift pack and all the memories are blended! I remember desperately adjusting my vision to perceive Applejack as "tan" so she would look like Megan's pony TJ.

I remember learning what medley, pegasus, rainbow, bouquet, ringlets, and several other words meant from the names or type of pony. I hope kids who grew up with G3 aren't confused by Brights Brightly and Alphabittle....

 

[strawberrypony32]

I don’t remember which pony it was, just that it was purple. (Most likely a blossom, but small chance it was glory.) I was only 2, sitting in front of mirrored sliding closet doors and prancing the pony back and forth in front of me, so I could see us both in the mirror, and babbling to her the whole time. I didn’t have a glory a couple years later when I finally got a sea pony which is why I’m pretty sure it was a cf blossom. My grandma always said that she had bought me a pony on that trip to their beach house. The rest of the world didn’t exist… just me, my pony, and our reflections. I was really good at entertaining myself.

Thats so sweet I have similar memories of my grandma buying me other toys at the beach. Making a sandcastle for them was always so fun! Those are very warm fuzzy memories

I had a moment thinking this as a kid when I found Creamsicle and Baby Shady at a thrift store. I wasn’t sure about the giraffe but her eyes and feet were like ponies. My cousin also had Kingsley, so I thought maybe she was related. So, I thankfully did not leave her behind.

That is not my first memory though. I think maybe I was about 3. I was at a flea market with my family and I think I was crying about wanting something but my mom distracted me with a Locket instead. She’s the first pony I remember getting in any capacity. I still have her, I believe. One of the last remaining ponies from my childhood herd.

Omg!! I never saw any of the animal friends as a child, thats so cool! Haha its kind of uniting to have other collectors bond over those similar experiences. Where we didnt know what something was but could tell it was MLP because of the eyes. It was such a mystery back then! Its cool how we all as kids could identify those things

My first MLP memory? As I remember, in the early 90s the ponies arrived to Hungary and I watched the G1 cartoon series on TV. I don't remember the story, only the feeling that I liked it and waited the next episode. Once I was sick and didn't go to school. In the afternoon a classmate brought me the homework and I missed the episode's end.
As a child I didn't have real MLP but some fakies, and some of them I still own. I was very sure that I got the first fakie (and still she is the most precious, because I got her from my grandma who were very close to me and I was very happy to have a pony) in 1994 Easter. But I found a picture of me and my cousin, sitting on the bed and I hold this pony in my hand... and I had no glasses on the picture. So I figured out it might be before, because I wear glasses since end of 1st grade, 1992. I remember my cousin had a MLP with colour changing mane, maybe Wave Runner, I can recall only the colours, maybe purple and teal.
The other early MLP memories are some commercials, like the pony schoolhouse. I didn't remember how it looked, but found some pictures, and said oh, so it was the thing I wanted so badly but never got.
I have only one G2 memory, we were on a school choir trip to Budapest in 1999 and stopped at a McDonald's, and I bought a Happy Meal with Silver Swirl. Some of my schoolmates bought it as well and said (me too) it is funny to buy children's menu as an 8th grader. But I think, secretly everyone liked this toy actually. At least I loved it! But G2 is somehow a "lost generation" for me.
That was in the 90s and later I said goodbye to the ponies for a while, however, I had a mild interest in G3 in the 2000s, but the big comeback waited till I was over 25 and started to rediscover the world of MLP. Now I am 37 and it is a calm hobby for me.

I had several fakies too and kept mine as well! I need to restore them though theyre so old their hair has fallen out from cheap glue used for their rooting.
Those are lovely memories I remember when the g2 McDonald's toys came out too, the first run with sundance, light heart, and Ivy. My mom helped me get all three. It was such a fun time! I have mine displayed on a shelf now.
G2 would have been lost to me too if it wasnt for my mom. Im so glad my mom always supported my love of ponies to this very day. I had always gotten g1 MLPs from flea markets and there were no ponies at the store at the time. Then one day my mom lead me by the hand to a toy aisle at the store so excited telling me to look. There on the shelf was all the brand new newly released g2 ponies! They were so gorgeous!! I cry at the memory. We were really poor but over several months she managed to get me the majority of the ponies released in the US since there were only a handful sold here before they stopped selling them. I never new they continued to sell them in other countries until I was older. It was one of the best memories I have.

I grew up with two girls in the neighborhood that I would play with. We would worm our way through fences to each others houses and we would sometimes play with My Little Ponies, and sometimes play dress-up. I would avoid buying the ponies they had when I went to the toy shop with my allowance money.

When I turned 11 these two girls were interested in boys and their friends from their own schools (which weren't mine), and they could not be tempted with Pony news or further impromptu play-acting. I wasn't making friends at my new school (the social groups were set in their ways and wouldn't accept newcomers). So it was just me. This is what I did to make the days brighter:

Following the blurbs on the backs of the My Little Pony packages, I created a whole landscape for my ponies that reflected its details. There's a beach for Seashell and an apple orchard for Applejack. If I didn't have any of the sets, I would make them out of boxes and leftover packing styrofoam or anything I found lying around my house. I carefully put every pony away in the castle at night, and shut it so they would be safe. I listened to the radio and made this miniature place where everyone had friends.

My mom snapped a picture:
View attachment 49913

I love the picture!!! Those were amazing times when we could build set ups for our toys. I would use pieces of paper boxes to make grassy landscapes haha.

My memories are so blended with the early ponies, I had no idea my first pony was Snuzzle, or that I ever owned Snuzzle until recently! I remember learning how to comb the hair on Skydancer...or maybe Applejack. I remember being unable to read and dad reading me Glory's backcard, playing with sea light in the bath, Bubbles as well, but several years later I was openning up the birthday party gift pack and all the memories are blended! I remember desperately adjusting my vision to perceive Applejack as "tan" so she would look like Megan's pony TJ.

I remember learning what medley, pegasus, rainbow, bouquet, ringlets, and several other words meant from the names or type of pony. I hope kids who grew up with G3 aren't confused by Brights Brightly and Alphabittle....

Hmm I never thought of that haha. I remember when I learned their names too. I wonder if kids just took the names as words and didnt bother with meanings haha some g3 names are complicated! Lol