Irises can receive awards 2 yrs after into (HM), then 2 years for Award of merit (AM). Fast forward to the 3 yrs of elegibility for the Wister & another 3 yrs for a Dykes. They are in each category for 3-5 yrs & then out. All awards are not written in stone: they have to be seen. A small breeder may have a very good plant but if not seen by enough judges: no award. One reason for sending plants to the National convention where the judges are. Judges are also encouraged to visit gardens in their area (large & small). Takes a lot of time, if you want awards try I guest plants in other gardens. By the time you want a Wister you are competing with a variety of good plants. Yours may be just as good as a winner, but another plant may get the favored vote. So Award of Merit plants may be a good choice for a certain climate.
