Been a while since my county fair days, but the entry book used to have the judging criteria. Judges are just giving their own opinions, based on their own experiences and tastes. I give them the same consideration I do for movie or restaurant critics. I consider their views, but ultimately rely on my own preferencees.
Some of the most beautiful quilts I've seen were not technical wonders. They just called to me in different ways.
Somewhere I have a batch of those old ribbons waiting to end up on a crazy quilt.