Steve
In answer to your question, the truth is that the best shooters unusually walk away with the hardware; but not always, as yours truly was actually on the final Challenge Team way back in 2004. The way the Challenge is set up, the 10 best scores from each Organization move on to comprise the Challenge Team; so with 10 slots available EVERYONE has a chance, and each year new shooters become members of that final team. The secret to shooting well in any type of clays event is practice, practice, and practice; and for the Challenge Event, that practice should be/can be limited to 5-stand shooting only. So practice from all stations and really work on shooting pairs, as pairs will constitute 67% of the target presentation.
But do come to the Southern; it's far more than shooting. It's the best vintage shooting and fellowship event in the country; and once you come you'll want to return every year. Tom