Oh yeah I forgot to mention the other weird thing I saw related to the mask ponies. On the packaging there is Twilight on what looks like the Crystal Empire logo, and it kind of looks like it says "Crystal Empire". I was joking around that Twilight is taking over princess Cadance's job.
Also, to stay on topic, I do not think there is any way way this orange pony is just another random brushable. I think she will be featured in whatever these "big changes" are. Maybe she'll be from a doll/toyline marketed to older kids and they just happened to make a brushable pony version of her, too. Those are just my crazy ramblings though.