1991:

SCHOOLTIME PONIES

The Schooltime Ponies were released in 1991-2, and were one of the sets this year which did not see a North American release. They were sold across Europe and in Oceania as well as in the UK, although they are often referred to (as many others are) as "UK" ponies.

In the early days, these ponies caused some confusion, particularly with the name of one of the members, Paintingtime, who, mysteriously, got called Art Time. The general explanation for this was that her German name was Artzeit - a fact since disproven by the appearance of German carded ponies. Where this alternate name originated from is unknown, but there is no proven basis for her ever having been sold under this name.

SCHOOLTIME PONIES: 1990-1 UK insert

The other members of the set were less controversial, although this set was one of the first to indicate that Boy Ponies would no longer be sold with Clydesdale hooves. Whether these were moulds inaccessible to Europe is unclear, but this set's boy pony, Sportstime, was issued in a commonly used 'female' pose from earlier years. This pose would go on to be used for other adult boy ponies in the European line.

The Schooltime Ponies were associated with the Schoolhouse, and, in one TV commercial, appeared in the role of 'teacher', although in the comic they were generally students. This student mode is more represented by the toys, too, as each were sold with a neon yellow and orange satchel and a comb unique to this set - moulded into the letters ABC (in spite of the insert showing a duck comb). They were also often pictured/advertised in the same material as the Schoolhouse.

SCHOOLTIME PONY SATCHEL

This set also reintroduced a bit of the old style, for they were solid colour ponies with single colour mane and tail. There are no unicorns or pegasi in this set, and each pony had freckles on each cheek, reminiscent of early ponies Applejack and Bow Tie.

There have been cases where the yellow bag has bled onto the plastic of MOC ponies, so if you have one of these MOC, it's adviseable to make sure it's kept in a cool location.