Talk:Sunset Shimmer/@comment-10390252-20140716131431/@comment-5837525-20140717181601

1. Depending on when Cadance was made an Alicorn, she was either unable to be Celestia's successor due to her being a Pegasus or, after she became an Alicorn, Celestia had planned for her to be her or Luna's successor but the Crystal Empire's reappearance made her rethink those plans.

2. If Cadance and statements from show staff are any indication, normal ponies made Alicorns are not as long-lived as naturally born Alicorns. Maybe on top of being her and Luna's successors, she wanted her student(s) to be able to combat Nightmare Moon if the need arose.

3. No foresight ability is perfect. :P

4. Maybe because -- assuming Celestia was indeed aware of Twilight since her birth -- she wanted Twilight to have a normal foalhood.