I agree with everything that Pat, Lisa and Robyn have said in this thread (oh, and you too BBoy!).
For the most part, I think it is fair competition at least at the Winners Level..and to some extent the BOB level.
Where it gets frustrating is when you have someone in your area that consistantly has very nice dogs AND is well known by the judges…feels like you can't win then unless you have a stupendously great dog.