Well, I don't have the experience with chicken shows to share, but I will share one of my early dog show experiences.
I had just taken my first Golden Retriever in the ring and she had won her class. The winners of the different classes then all go back in the ring to compete against each other for the championship points. I was so excited over Katy's blue ribbon, I went back to the parking area where several of my friends were gathered together to show them. One of them, a professional handler, asked me how we did in the Winner's Class. "The what?"
They all had a good laugh about that - took me a bit longer to laugh about it.
So...in one form or another - we've all been there.