I selected Danu based on research I have done into Irish mythology and named her foal after the legendary hero Cu Chulainn. Danu and Chulainn's figures were chosen because they are both in motion, which relates to their story and Chulainn's gift. Danu was painted with a series of army paints as well as a mixed matte/glossy sealant to mimic the traditional Breyer finish. 

Foal's Parents and Gift: Chulainn is the beloved colt of Danu and Lugh- two strong examples of their Gaelic namesakes. Lugh is the famous God of the sun in Irish mythology, while Danu's name is inspired by the fairy-people of ancient Ireland- the Tuatha De Danann. Chulainn inherited Lugh's coloring and Danu's fierce spirit. 

Danu and Chulainn spend much time running through lush green forests. Their curious nature takes them to mysterious and far off places. To honor his mother and the patient energy she shares, Chulainn has given her one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain as a gift- The Horn of Brân Galed. This magical treasure will fill itself with whatever beverage is wished for, a must have for any long journey. Chulainn, as a rite of passage, quested for this treasure and retrieved it as well as his place in his herd. Together, mother and foal share sweet water and sweet memories during their gallops and adventures. 

Historically, being the cupbearer to another person was among the highest honors one could hold in an ancient court. I chose to allow Chulainn to hold the drinking horn to show his love for his mother. A cupbearer is always the most trusted individual to someone of high rank. 

The gift was chosen as Danu's original card art features her with the four treasures of the Tuatha De Danann, and selecting a mythological gift pays homage to that. This treasure is to represent Danu and Chulainn's mythological ties to Gaelic and Welsh folklore, as well as the honor between foals and their mothers. 

Story: After leaping through sunbeams and ferns, Danu and Chulainn race home to Tir na Nog and Lugh to share a refreshing drink and invigorating stories.

For this theme, I knew I wanted to go with more of an adoption or found family route since it seemed like it would be more fun for me. Eventually I remembered that some horses can end up in North of North after dying, and thought that could be an interesting reason for a foal to need to be adopted. At that point, the hard part was actually choosing a mare to be the mum, and I went with Minelle since she looked cute, she seemed like a horse that I could see adopting a parentless foal, and I liked the idea of using a horse from an older card.

For the gift, I had Strawberry giving Minelle a drawing of the two together. The 'stick figure' horses and the labels were to try and make it look more like a kids drawing. The foal's name and the strawberries were a reference to Minelle's card which has her in a strawberry field.

Strawberry's biological parents are unknown, but she is a foal from our world that ended up in North of North after dying (she has lethal white). Minelle found Strawberry in a strawberry field and promptly adopted her after realising the foal was REALLY lost and finding her parents wasn't exactly an option. Strawberry's gift is a drawing she made for her mum of the two together and the quality time of having a picnic together.