This pony was designed for a contest to create a mascot for the Colorado Bronies forum (coloradobronies.org)

The first thing brought to mind at the mention of “Colorado” is, in the vast majority of people, mountains. As I began to consider the perfect mascot for Colorado Bronies, I could not avoid the necessity for the implementation of the mountains in my design. But what does that have to do a group of people that love My Little Pony? I wanted more than to create a pony that lives in Colorado, that engages in modern Colorado passtimes. I wanted a pony that was the essence of both the state and the bronies that reside there. I soon realized that the state is a perfect metaphor for the brony movement. The more I thought, the more things clicked into place, and out of it came a simple image with profound meaning.

The basic design is simple enoughthe mane and eyes being reminiscent of our flag waving in the wind, the evergreen clothes with purple mountain majestic highlightsbut it’s the pose and scenario in which the most potent symbolism is found.

We, the bronies, are pioneers. We are exploring new territory in this country that many said should never be explored. The thing we all share as bronies is the obstacles that we all must overcome to achieve what we know is great. We have seen a glimpse of a world worth climbing towards. We have seen the beautiful evergreens and red rock canyons of peace, harmony, and friendship, and we are willing to risk it all to make it happen. We have conquered the rocky mountain ranges of cynisim, anger, and hate that divide our country and now we are free to come together from all walks of life and live in love. But we’re not done. We look ahead with optimism and determination. Having climbed that first mountain, we are empowered by our success as well as our new community to conquer our personal mountains. Our fear of intimacy. Our crippling depression. Our struggles with addictions. Our pasts. The brony movement is about rejecting what the world says shouldn’t be done, coming together, and rising above, achieving what most people never have the courage to.

This brave pony will serve as a reminder to all of us that we are strong and have the potential to do great things because we have already come so far. Our mascot stands at the top of that first mountain, a symbol of the good in this state, visible to all. We are the bronies, and we can can reach any summit.