As far as i know the studio or teacher has no control of what heat the the student is entered. We know the age level and division (Int, American, New comer, Bronze, silver, gold, etc..) where they will be competion but you really don't find out the amount of people that enter until you get to the competition and look at the program. One year my student had very little competion and the next year she had a semi-final, so it varies depending on the size of the event and how many people from the same level enter the competition.

"As far as i know the studio or teacher has no control of what heat the the student is entered. We know the age level and division (Int, American, New comer, Bronze, silver, gold, etc..) where they will be competion but you really don't find out the amount of people that enter until you get to the competition and look at the program."

There is no absolute control, but a combination of past observations and possibly entering late after a heat list has been posted online would make it possible to intentionally increase the chance of being in a smaller or larger heat as desired.

I'm just wondering: How many competitors take the time and trouble to do all the research to cherry-pick that way? And even if there is a student or a couple that does it - well, in the end, so what? Who is it really hurting?

For what it's worth, I've seen the other side of the coin with cherry-picking: I know one pro couple in my area who sign up for competitions, and then, after they take a look at who is turning up for the event, will scratch their entry if they think they won't/can't win.

Is there really a difference in the motives - isn't there cherry-picking going on in both scenarios? And again, who is it really hurting?
In some ways cherry-pickers give other people a lot a pleasure - other people can have such fun gossiping about them and venting frustrations. . . . who is it really hurting?

"I'm just wondering: How many competitors take the time and trouble to do all the research to cherry-pick that way?"

Usually we do take the time and research to cherry pick the other way, to get large events. But the picking skill would be the same.

But sometimes finding a quiet small event is warranted, when trying something new, before taking it into a really contested one.

if this is any comfort to you, I once Judged a comp.( solo ) with one couple in a particular heat.. i gave him a 2nd place marking.. the teacher did not complain..
One has to blame the "panel " for giving inflated awards.

I understand how upsetting the attitude of some people who compete can be. But I think it all depends on the type of competitions you enter. Are we talking NDCA comps or comps made specifically for one chain of studios such as Fred Astaire etc?
As an instructor it is my understanding that at an NDCA comp a first place must be earned. That is you must dance well enough and satisfy all criteria to be first. I have been told that if you dance consistently out of time, you cannot win a first place etc. I have had a student compete who generally does quite well, but on one dance just got a little lost and out of time. They were the only one in the heat and came second. But they understood that they still had to earn that first place and did not on that occasion. So perhaps to the author of this thread you should have a look at the type of competition / studio that you learn at and decide if all competition is money based or skill based and re-evaluate.

Random Comment,
My experience probably goes against the grain of what you have seen. I've been at franchised competitions where uncontested couples did receive seconds, and in one particular case, a third. Those events were also very strictly invigilated as to the syllabus, with specific warnings issued to violators.
I've been at NDCA comps where uncontested couples dancing off-time still took first places. Also I have seen blatant violations of syllabus restrictions with no repurcussions. Well, maybe once in a great while the MC will remind competitors that "this is a closed [insert syllabus level here] event." But I have not witnessed any specific warnings or disqualifications because of it.
Obviously, people's experiences are anecdotal and vary a great deal.

having adjudicated at both, I can assure you, that first is NOT automatic, in a non contested event in the events I was engaged in .