This weekend is my first competition and my first judging. But I did send an ABA to a rather well known homebrewer/ judge last winter. I was told it was an upper 30s beer and enjoyable enough that he forgot he was supposed to take feedback notes. I was proud, but the three I sent to Seattle are far superior, so I'm excited to see how they do.
I'm in the group of brewers who just think it's great that your beer doesn't suck. But always searching for improvement and perfection doesn't exist. At least not permanently