The familiar clink of the metal hurdles as they open and close tells me I’m “home”: at a shepherds’ meet. Since 1866, on the last Saturday in September, the shepherds of the Lake District have met in Eskdale to celebrate local livestock, crafts and produce. That may sound old, but it started as an additional show to the May Tup Fair, which dates to the 1700s.

I’m here representing one of the show sponsors, the National Trust, which provides the trophy and sash for the main prize – the world champion Herdwick sheep, the breed being native to this area. The trust owns more than 20,000 sheep in the Lake District, mainly Herdwicks, and they are an important cultural collection. The sheep are hefted to the fells, where they live without boundaries and are taught the territories by their mothers. The permanence of a landlord’s flock of sheep ensures continued management of the farms, and makes it easier to take on a farm without having to buy livestock. Each flock also carries genes that adapt the animal to this landscape: a double layer of fleece, and extra long eyelashes to cope with the rain on west-facing fellsides.

Herdwick sheep at the Eskdale show. Photograph: Bill Robertson

Today, the local sheep from Eskdale compete to be the male and female champion, while “the rest of the world” (which includes the Lake District outside Eskdale) take part in the open competition. I watch the open contest as it moves through the classes over several hours, before the winner is declared to be Patrick Fitzwilliam from the Duddon Valley, with Glen Wilkinson from Torver the reserve.

After dinner the Eskdale champion, Thomas Postlethwaite, goes head-to-head with Patrick to be the champion of the world. Patrick wins for the second time: only the second person to win the title twice. Afterwards the crowds move to watch the Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, hound trials and fell races.

Doing well in the Herdwick competitions isn’t just about the trophy or glory – it can also help the bottom line. With so many shepherds in attendance, the meet is a shop window for breeders to show the quality of their stock. The backend sales begin next week – breeders may now be able to command a higher price.