Sounds pretty absurd and unfair to me.
When we have patterns competitions, they are judged by a panel, and the rules are based on the book... and while interpretations of moves change occasionally, the moves haven't changed in decades. Even in open patterns competitions, the same rules apply to everyone, as follows:
9 Points to be observed while performing patterns:
1) Accuracy. A pattern should begin and end on the same spot.
2) Correct posture and facing should be maintained at all times.
3) The muscles of the body should be tensed and relaxed at the proper moments.
4) A pattern should be performed in rhythmic movements with an absence of stiffness.
5) Moves should accelerate or decelerate, according to the instructions.
6) Each pattern should be perfected before moving on to the next.
7) Students should know the purpose of each movement.
8) Students should perform each movement with realism.
9) Attack and defense techniques should be equally distributed among left and right hands and feet.
These are not ranked in order of preference; they should all be considered. When patterns are unknown to member(s) of the panel, they should look for the above as best they can, by looking for consistency in stances and height of techniques in place of those rules that can only be determined when you know the pattern being performed. Panels are always odd numbers (preferably 5, although 3 occurs occasionally, as does 7) to avoid ties.
