I've shown cars for years and showed horses back in the day. Its pretty rare to win on your first time out. There's a lot involved in winning no matter what you are showing and its takes a few tries to learn what makes a winning quilt (or anything else). People are always going to criticize you. I hear a lot of that at car shows especially being one of the few women showing her car. You have to develop a tough skin and let it go. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.
I agree with Peggi. You can either make quilts that you want to make or make quilts to win prizes. Sometimes the two will be the same, sometimes not. Up to you what you want to do.