Applejack's Character

You know, most of you guys seem right around the correct answer but I think I might have something. Applejack's Pride came in to play to override all other instances of rational thought.

It's present in the episode 'Fall Weather Friends' and is why she gets in the race with Dashie in the first place. She does have pride and confidence in her abilities, her farm and her family. When those things are at risk of being bettered, she takes it to heart. There is an ego some where under that hat. It's just well reigned in usually. You could argue that the Apple's defeat at the hands of the Film Flam Brother's would have put a massive dent in her pride too. She makes plans to leave rather than going "OK, you boys make the cider and we'll do the 99-hundred other apple products we produce. It's a bummer but heck! You ain't got a pie machine, now do ya?" I don't remember there being any specific terms that stated the Apple's had to leave if they lost. Yes, Applejack is apprehensive about loosing everything but I guess this sort of trait is hereditary.

So if that's a proper aspect of her personality then the guilt and shame of coming back what she deems a failure would cause her to avoid Ponyville till she could be confident she could return a hero for raising the money for the town roof. Her part of the community is part of who she is, clearly, and doesn't want it to go up in smoke.

So, I think she acted perfectly in character. She wasn't lying, as B-Dog1996 pointed out, merely avoiding the confrontation because she's so honest. She did tell them once they found out. She could not bring herself to return to Ponyville without the money people were depending on.

And you'd better get the droid for the Plotter. I think I might have seen him talking...to...it...Err, it might already be too late. And can I have two sugars in mine? My towel and my dressing gown aren't as warm as I thought. Thanks Drangonbait.