Hi Micah! Welcome! <3
I was also obsessed with horses growing up, and MLP naturally followed. ^__^ I was an early 80s child, and knew nothing about the cartoons because we were a country family living out in the boonies and never even had a TV until I was around 12, so my love was built on the original G1 toys alone. Could rarely afford the ponies new (except when Grandma visited for the holidays, hee), so most of my lovelies were found in second-hand thrift stores or gifted from friends. But I was sure to always save the pony points from those I did get new, and send in for the G1 mail-order ponies! Some of my fondest memories.
It wasn't until I moved out on my own and rediscovered my box of G1s lovingly packed away in a box under my bed that my passion for collecting really got going, though! As an adult with a job, I could suddenly afford to buy any pony I wanted but could never have as a child (though most still took some planning and saving for), and that passion hasn't waned in the years since. It really is just so much heartwarming fun, and all my ponies still make me smile every day.
Blossom has always been my original fav! I have a whole bookcase with three shelves dedicated to just her. I can totally understand your affection for Bowtie, though, she is quite adorable, and one of my childhood ponies, too.
But Blossom was my first, and so, my dearest. <3