This was voted on at convention over three years ago now close to four. There was some questions regarding folks not registering their Shetlands until they were over 3 years of age, even some up to six years of age and this practice was still going on at the time of the proposal that passed. I will agree that it's a shame, but a rule is a rule and the folks that voted in the Shetland committee's both Classic and Moderns did pass it without hesitation. I know I sat close to one particular farm that didn't like it so I took it by their unhappiness that they were one of the one's that was doing it but again, it was voted on and passed.
If you are going to be a breeder, then a prudent breeder will take care of business and not let registering ANY foal slide. I personally think paying the $20 and four pictures is pretty cheap and I registered all of my babies by six month of age whether I think they are going to be show babies or back yard pets. I keep a copy of everything I sell so if in any case something should ever have a question and I'm contacted, then I can back up when and to whom that foal was out of and by. If a person/farm is breeding more than they can financially put papers on, then maybe they need to reconsider the number of foals born each year. Pay for what you can handle to take care of in a prudent manner.
JMHO.
Karen