At the 2 shows i enter regularly, the criteria are very clear in most cases. Really wonderful quilts in the wrong category may not get the attention they deserve. Before you judge the judges, look to see if the category is listed. For example, the exquisite quilting might not have been judged at all because the quilter did not do it. Our categories include, "quilted by another".
Judges do make mistakes and have personal preferences. A friend who usually does very simple quilts made a very complex paper-pieced long vest. The judge said it was OK, but did not deserve any prize because it was just a cheater print. That judge made several other errors too. We are not having her back.
BubbleGum, go ahead and enter! Our show has "open judging", so you can hear what the judge has to say about your work. Many shows give you a written critique. Ask.
At one show, the quilt I was sure would be a winner did not even place and the one I almost didn't enter took a blue. The competition really matters. In one show we had over 30 really well made quilts in one category. The final decision was made on the sharpness of the binding corners. I took 2nd and was stunned, considering the other entries.