Sindy Our Pedigree Girl Of The 60's

In 1963, the year of Sindy's release, she was given, as one of her first eight outfits, 'Pony Club'....every little girls dream was to have their very own pony, so this outfit must have thrilled Sindy's new owners, but poor Sindy, and her owners would have to wait a couple of years before Sindy actually got a horse to ride, until then I guess the arms of arm chairs became Sindy's make-shift 'horse', or maybe an Action Man horse was 'borrowed' from big brother ?! Sindy only had the one Equestrain outfit thoughout the 60's, and even in 1970 'Pony Club' was still being sold as her only horse riding outfit.

It wasn't until 1971 that Sindy was given a brand new outfit, bright red jodphurs and a white turtle neck top, very groovy for hose riding and a complete contrast to the old Pony Club outfit, even if the jodphurs were still the old fashioned wide leg cut, you could almost see Sindy down at the local disco in these ! This outfit lasted until 1973, then in 1974, nothing ?! 1975 was the same, two years with no Equestrian outfit ? Poor old Sindy must have wondered what was going on ? But, thankfully, in 1976, Sindy was at last given a new outfit, sticking with the old fashioned wide cut jodphurs, this time in biege, they were teamed up with a ribbed yellow stretch cotton jersey turtle neck top, and black riding boots. From then on Sindy was given a new outfit for horse ridning every year, sometimes she even got two !

Sindy's first horse, grey flock covered beauty,with white mane and tail, Peanuts.

Here's Vicki in 'Jodphurs and Sweater' (1971) Does what is says on the can really ! But what a difference from 1963's 'Pony Club' ! I think this is one of those very underated outfits, it's so bright and cheerful, the tomatoe red jodphurs with the old fashioned wide cut legs and the smart ,simple cut white jersey cotton turtle neck insured that Sindy..or Vicki !.. looked pretty trendy when our riding in this snazzy little outfit.

Sindy had to wait until 1976 to get a new riding outfit. 'Riding Out' used the same wide legged style jodphurs, this time in a fawn, light cotton teamed up with a lovely rich yellow cotton ribbed top with turtle neck. With this outfit Sindy wore black riding boots, This was a really lovely, bright 'sunny' outfit for her country canters.

In 1977 Sindy was 'Riding Out' again ! This time she hit the hot spots as far as equestrian fashion went, with the new stretch nylon, fitted jodphurs with protectors on the inside of each knee and elastic straps to go under the feet or boots. With these she wore a beautiful rich red cotton ribbed top with ribbed 'collar', cuffs and hem, also provided, were black riding boots and a riding crop. It really was a lovely outfit and is shown off best, I think, on a high colour 70's hard head Sindy like 'Sunshine Daily' here.

In 1978 Sindy became a 'Pony Rider' with another bright and beautiful outfit. The same jodphurs, boots and crop were used, but this time teamed up with a wonderful bright yellow stretch nylon top with  'collar', cuff and hem detail, and printed on the front, a large, slightly raised black horse shoe, to give Sindy lots of good luck during those important horse trials no doubt ! I'm sure may a little Sindy collector tugged on their parents coat sleeves when visisting the toy shop and seeing this lovely riding outfit.

More bright yellow in 1979, and Sindy once again became a member of the 'Pony Club' ! Everything was the same as 1978's outfit except the print on the sweater, this time, not only a horse shoe, but her favourite steed was featured to ! This is cute little top with such a lovely picture printed on the front, insured that yet another equestrain purchase would be added to Sindy's 'stable' of outfits .

Try saying that quickly !

This was the decade that saw Sindy's riding outfits change the most, neck lines changed as did materials and colours, and in some years she was given two outfits !

1980 and Sindy started the new decade off with a new neck-line, gone was the turtle neck, and in was the 'V' neck on a rich navy blue nylon top with cuffs and hem, a lovely little 'silver'/ grey horse shoe was printed on the left breast side and as usual she wore her regulation stretch jodphurs and black boots, and carried her riding crop. This outfit made a nice fresh change to start the decade with.

This is another one of my favourites ! 1981's 'Pony Club'. Sticking with the 'V' neck nylon sweater, this time in bright red with a lovely raised print of a horse looking over a horse shoe, I think this sweater would have looked just as good teamed with jeans as well, simple design but sooooo cute !

1982 was quite a year for Sindy, this was the first year she was given two riding outfits ! Both riding, and Sindy fans must have been delighted !! The first, 'Pony Club', saw a round neck style nylon top in rich yellow, with wonderful collar and turned back cuffs in brown and white gingham, the detail of this top really was special, and such a change from the previous years styles, another coat tugging moment in the toy shop I feel !

Pedigree obviously thought they were onto a winner with the collar detail, and they were ! So the second oufit for Sindy in 1982 also featured it. And Sindy was also given some new jodphurs as well ! 'Riding Out' was a fun creation of rich red nylon top with ribbed cuffs and hem, and a smart red tartan collar peeping out the top, on the front was printed Sindy's favourite horse picture in slightly raised detail, the beautiful steed looking over the lucky horse shoe. Over this she wore a cosy, and very fashionable, black cotton , quilted body warmer and her new jodphurs were of thick nylon in steel grey, tucked into her usual black riding boots. In this outfit Sindy would look equally good riding out on her horse, or doing stable duties.

By 1983 Pedigree were on an equestrain roll ! Two more wonderful outfits were introduced for Sindy ! The first, 'Pony Rider' was definatley an autumn weekend in the country outfit. A brand new design yet again for Sindy's top, this time a thick, snuggly warm knitted sweater in green, blue, fawn, black and white, with a 'V' neck , under which, Sindy tucked her rich yellow, satin cravat. The wide legged jodphurs made a return this year, in thick fawn cord, tucked once again, into her black riding boots. This really was a lovely outfit with excellent detail.

The second outfit for 1983 was completley the opposite of the first. After all those weekends away, exercising her horse, and practising jumps over many a country hedgerow, Sindy was now ready for the horse show, and what could be smarter than her 'Dressage' outfit ! A tailored black cotton jacket with long tails at the back and double breast detail buttons with turned back collar and Union Jack breast badge made sure Sindy really looked the part as she leaped over the hurdles. She tucked a smart snow white satin cravat into her jacket and wore white, knee length, stretch nylon jodphurs which tucked into her new knee high riding boots.This outfit also came with a hair net to keep Sindy's hair in a neat bun while riding.

1984 bought us yet another 2 riding outfits ! 'Pony Club' saw the return of the stretch beige jodphurs and regulation black riding boots. This time teamed up with another very cute and desirable top, in royal blue stretch nylon with 'collar' , cuff and hem detail, it featured on the front, a horse and rider jumping over Sindy's name ! It's a tiny print and yet very detailed, really lovely.Sindy keeps the cold at bay by wrapping a blue and red tartan scarf around her neck, which compliments the sweater perfectly.

'Show Jumper' was a very clever outfit, Sindy would drive to, and prepare for the gymkhana, in her white stretch nylon knee length jodphurs and knee high, black riding boots, teamed with a lovely thick checked cotton shirt in deep red and blue, over this she wears a bright red, qulited body warmer.......then.....

......when it's Sindy's turn to ride, she slips on her smart black riding jacket and tucks in her white satin cravat, she has winner written all over her !

Just the one outfit for Sindy in 1985, but what an outfit, all change again as the top was now a bright and cheerful Tee Shirt ! White ground with thin, red, yellow, blue and green stripes, over this Sindy wore a royal blue nylon body warmer with cord tie at the hem and a leaping horse printed on the left breast .This was a really fun outfit to end Sindy's last year in her now very familiar look. And as she showed us though the decades, she really was 'Horse Mad'......

Second to Sindy's homes and furnture, her impressive horse and accessorey collection must have kept children all over the country 'busy' for hours, with the fantastic detail and imense play value, they could be enjoyed indoors, or out, for added realism. Any fan of all things equestrian will love this look at Sindy's wonderful collection, and even those that don't know one end of a horse from the other, will be adding to their 'wish lists' of must have Sindy items !

Sindy was first issued with a Horse Riding outfit in 1963 when she was released, entitled 'Pony Club', a couple of years later she was issued with a horse, there are two versions of this, and as yet, I have yet to know 100% which came out first, One was brown, the other grey flock. June and Schoolfriend, a popular girls comic, had a competion to name Sindy's horse, the winner was 'Paenuts' and from then on this issue was called Paenuts.

  In 1977 Sindy rode a magnificent Chestnut steed. This was issued after a moulded mane and tail horse which ran from 1973 until 1976, not literaly of course ! Ha Ha...Sindy's new horse had a silky mane and tail, like her first edition horse, and came with full tack. As with her first horse, he was beautifully moulded in excellent detail, and looked very handsome. Here's Sindy wearing 'Riding Out', which was issued the same year as her new horse.

 After five years, in 1982, Sindy aquired a Dapple Grey horse for her stable. The chestnut steed was still going strong and still being issued, but now he had a mate in the new dapple grey. Dapple Grey was the same mould, and tack, but in lovely shades of grey and black, which really picked out the high detail of the horse, as seen in the close up of his handsome face, even the viens can be seen . Sindy is wearing 'Pony Club' also from 1882, and one of Sindy's most loved horse riding outfits.

I guess it was inevitable that now, with two fine horses....... Sindy would become thew owner of a Foale ! Issued in 1984, this was the cutest of Sindy's stable of horses, again, so lifelike on his slightly unsteady, thin legs, still finding his feet, his mane and tail still to grow, and wrapped in a blanket to keep him warm, you just couldn't help but love him. Party Time Sindy is seen here wearing 'Pony Club' from 1984.

Not only did Pedigree release the Faole in 1984, but they also released Sindy's most posable horse, another handsome chestnut steed, but this time with moving head and neck. The mane was also seperated at the front to provide him with a cute, and very life like 'fringe'...The horse wore the same tack as previous horses, Sindy is seen here wearing 'Show Jumper' from the same year, and it looks as if they are about to win that event hands down !

 After the event, Sindy and her horse relax in his field, off comes the tack and he feeds on the fresh green grass while Sindy, who has now changed into the other part of the two part 'Show Jumper' outfit, pats him, and congratulates him on a magnificent win.

 Sindy aquired a 'Gig' in 1982. This was beautiful, so well made, and detailed, if not a bit of a job to put together, thanks to the instruction leaflet, this did at least make it a bit easier. In Shiny Royal blue with bright egg yolk yellow wheels and a tan soft rubber seat, and complete with all the tack needed for a horse, Sindy could ride around her estate in style with this excellent play value set.

 All you had to do was hook up your Sindy horse to your new gig, pop Sindy in the 'driving' seat, and away you go, with turning wheels and authentic tack, the gig could be pulled along while Sindy admired the view from her 'carriage' . Here's  1977's  'Royal Occiasion' Sindy, released especially to celebrate the Queens Silver Jubilee, enjoying a country 'drive' in her gig. It really does make the most beautiful play sets and collectors sets in Sindy's vast array of scensetters. The gig was also released as 'Gig and Horse' this came with a dapple grey horse and maroon gig.

 Here we can see the detail of the harness, complete with blinkers, so the horse doesn't get startled while on the roads.

 The detail of the tack is amazing, and you really do need help from the instruction leaflet to put it all together !.

In 1982 Sindy was spoilt when it came to her equestrian collection, with a new dapple grey horse, a gig, and a horse and gig set, plus a lovely 'Pony Club' outfit, you would think that would be more than enough to satisfy any child at Christmas or Birthday time...but no..Pedigree had an Ace 'card' up their sleeve, a spanking brand new horse box was released, this preceeded the 1980 one, which was in vinyl covered hardboard.This has to be one of Sindy's most detailed horse accessories, and one with enormous play value and collectability. Just feast your eye's on what I consider, Sindy's best horse accessorey ever released.

 In Royal blue and rich yolk yellow, it was complete in every detail, four black wheels, two either side at the back, and a tow bar and screw down fly wheel at the front to steady the box when it was unhitched from the car. A spare tyre hung from the side.

 The front door flapped down to provide a ramp for the horses to get in and out of the box, it clipped into place to hold it shut, and it even had ridges on the ramp to stop the horse from slipping.

 A view of the detail Pedigree went to in this wonderful piece, four little white hooks at the front of the inside of the horse box, so Sindy can hang the tack on while the horses are travelling.

 The left hand side of the box...

Here we have a little door, probably for straw and feed ? Also notice the detail of the air vent at the front...

 Front view of the box showing fly wheel, mud guards over back wheels, air vent, stickers and decoration.

 The back of the box was adorned with stickers, supplied with it, what fun to stick them all on when it was new ! And again, all so very detailed and true to life.

 The back flapped down into another ramp, ridged again, to prevent the horses from slipping, and with two fold out white guard rails so the horses didn't try to take a sharp turn left or right when leaving the box. The interior is lovely, with partition, so that two horses can comfortably share this huge accessorey.

   Close up view of the two 'polished chrome' plaques on the horse box, these are minty, I was wearing a red T shirt when I took the pics...hence the red in the 'chrome' ! Beautiful detail in the winged horse and Sindy's initial in a horse shoe.

 Sindy wearing 1984's 'Show Jumper' leading out her Chestnut steed. A scene no doubt emulated all around the country on Christmas morning that year, who needed TV, computers or cell phones with play value items like this.

 Even Sindy's  1984 Foal could fit in with the two horses, the whole 'family' could travel in true Pedigree Sindy style ! Sindy on the right is wearing 1984's 'Pony Club' outfit.