Many shows do break down the type of quilting into different categories, but it is very hard for someone who just had a basic vintage machine like mine to get awards based on quilting, hopefully there will be categories that don't include it. But ultimately a quilt is a finished project and I've seen mine turn into "another fine top ruined by mediocre quilting" and I've seen completely blah and uninteresting tops turn into spectacular projects by their quilting.
Basically though, with the advent of home long arm quilting systems, you have to submit your work in the current style to be judged fairly, and that is heavily quilted.
Personally, I don't like what I consider to be mattress pads no matter how beautiful they are. I prefer a looser quilting style with a fluffier batt. But then I've never bothered with what is popular just what I want and I don't enter my quilts in judged shows. Still, I know what to do and how to do it and believe I could make an award winning quilt should I choose. But I choose to make pretty blankets that keep body and soul warm, not that those can't be beautiful too but I don't want to keep projects around that have to be touched with gloves on and wrapped in acid free tissue paper and refolded every three months and all the other stuff that goes with it.
There is nothing at all wrong with competition and ribbons and such, it is just that I don't typically appreciate such encounters. My hubby has been trying to get me to join a bowling league for example but so far I refuse. Someone would do/say something that would take away my enjoyment and want me to be "better". They don't understand that while I am getting better, I have no desire to be "best".