This is such a good question and answers. I have had some of the same thoughts as have been brought up here. We have had some experience with horse show judges and have found that if the judge likes the horse he will win every event while if the judge doesn't like the horse or some physical part of the horse he will never win. I hate to think a quilt judge is like that but I think that if the design is something the judge likes it will place higher than one he doesn't like, at least in the design aspect. Will keep this bookmarked.